The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-03-14
GREAT FIRE IN CANTON.
from the PHILADELPHIA Co,


at Canton. 1t commenced abou, =,
clock, on the evening of the LIST of No.
yemoer. IN little dycing establishment,
directly north Of tho factories, at the dis
lance OF nearly one mile; and by mid
night had gained so great a height. and
approached the factories with such in.
credible rapidity, with strong wind
blowing directly towards them, as to ex-
cite the most alarming approximations. 4
V'ders were in consequence sent to
Whampoa, for every man that could be
spared from the shipping, with the inten-
sion OF lcvelllng the Chinese buildings,
smmediately connected with the factories,
es the only means of saving them as it
was sscertained that the Chinese were
making no efforts whatever to extinguish
ahe ire; having but little water, and
most wretched means of applying it, rem
dered all their attempts unavailing and
a scene of uncquaIled confusion, and dis
tress prevailed, in endeavouring to save
their property from the flames which
the narrow confined streets, and immense
throng rendered impossible.
Considerably before daylight, the des-
truction of,he factories was thought inev.
liable, and measures taken for the reno
val ofthe property from them, with Chop
boats, which were promptly obtained for
she purpose, and by very great exerrions
those occupying the front and middle fac
tories succeeded In The removal of the
most valuable goods before the FIRE had
reached them but so sudden was its an.
preach, that several Of the back factories
were enyeloped in flames before even the
specie, ami most valuable goods could
be removed :-the difficulty being very
great in obtaining assistance and from
the unfavourable state of the tide, and :.
strong head wind, the boats from the
shipping did not reach until late this
morning; when most of the factories
were IN blaze, and all attempts to arrest
the flames frutless. The crews were o.
great assistance however, in removIn.
large amounts ofspecie and goods, TO the.
boats and preventing the natives from
plundering, whlch they were very inienl
upon, and from the confusion that pre-.
vailed the utmost vigilance could not en-
tirely guard against.
Very considerable alarm prevailed
shortly alter the FIRE, from report, tina,
number of desperate wretche. intendea
attacking the boats, having the specie o,
board
The most thankful acknowledgment.
are due from the Americans, having ST
large an amount at risk .(neariv 2,0o0,00
OF dollars, ),o com. Smith, The senior 81
fcer in the English Indies company
service, for his friendly conduc, on ths
~
his armed boats, should it be required
twas iinpossihle.to ascertain with an,
degree ofacCnracy the ameunt Of prope
ty destroyed. The loss to the Chinese
was uncalcuiable. The official report
OF the officers appointed by the govern
ment to ascertain the damage, stated the
destruction of UPWARDS of eieven thou
sardbuildings.
Ot foreign interests, the loss sustained
by the English India company was much
the greatest. independent Of the total
destruction Of their splendid buildings,
very considerable part of their annual
importation OF British manufactures, con-
sisting OF cloths, longellss camblets, &c.
was burnt. Eheir loss III those articles
alone was estimated at one and half mil
lion OF dollars. Having been dissppoin-
ted in timely assistance from their ship
ping at Whampoa. they were entirely un-
prepared to meet the suddenDess of the
fire; which had reached their buildings
before any exertions were made for the
removal of their property and progress
ed so rapidly afterwards, that very little
could be saved as even the most valua-
BILE Articles of private property of the
members Of the factory, could not be re-
moved.
The factories Of the Dutch and Span
ish companies, being closed at the time,
their loss, with the exception of the build
ings, was trifliDg. The Parsees, who
have an extensive trade with tho place,
and large amount at risk at the time,
escaped with but little loss.
The loss sustained by the Americans,
was very triflihg, not exceeding in MGR.
chandize 100000.
of the number Of lives lost, no correct
account could be obtained however,
many have perished; numbers were
said TO have been trsmpled to death in
the streets, The remains Of several
we're discovered near The factories, after
the ire,suppose1 TO have suffered in that
way. A number of small feeted women,
were said to have persisted in the flames.
But one life was lost at the factories,
that Of an American sailor, burBt in the
back BUILDINGS.