American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-03-18


preached, the whole of the factories upwards OF
sixty H. number) including the English. Dutch and
4 Spanish Company's establishments, together with
number OF the security merchants Hongs, were
in an entire blaze; and the flames extending along
the shore of the western suburbs, as far the eye
could reach, presented scene, strkngly grand and
sublime but exciting the most painful feelings at
its calamitous consequences and the misery 1t oc
casoned; thousands who we're obliged 10 fly to the
opposite shore for safety, leaving their houses and
property fury to the deyourng flames.
/ Nearly the whole of the factories by daylight the
next morning. were reduced to heap oil
ruins the English Company's buildings continued
burning Tor two days alter, in consequence OF the
immense quantity Of wooden goods deposited in
them il also continued burning along The shore to
the west of the factories, until every building was
destroyed liz that direction extending to distance
of nearly TWO miles.
| Very considerable alarm prevailed shortly alter
the fire, from report, that number of despea ate
J Wretches intended attacking the boats, having the
specie board, which from their exposed situations
was much 10 be dreaded; and further increased by
i Houqua, the chief security merchant, refusing to
receive ii in his Hong, (not deeming safe there.)
Application was in consequence made to the pro-
per authority for permission TO take 1t 10 Whampoa
which not being promptly granted, it was thought
proper to proceed there without is and having the
boats brought up from the shipping well armed, tor
protection, they reached Whampoa without being
molested.
The most thankful acknowledgements are due
l from the Americans, having so large amount
at risk, (nearly Two Millions Of Doars) to Com.
Smith, the senior officer in the English Indies Com
pany's service, Tor his friendly conduct on the oc
casion, in Offering the protection of his we'll armed
boats. should it be required; subsequent arrange
ments however, made it unnecessary, as the report
J. proved uniounded.
i 1t was impossible to ascertain with any degree oil
accuracy the amount OF property destroyed The
oss TO the Chinese incaculabe. The official
report of the officers appointed by the government
to ascertain the damage, stated the destruction OF
upwards OF eleven thousand budi gs comprehend
ing very considerable number of extensive stores
land warehouses; the greater proportion, however,
consisting of small shops, and dwellings OF the lower
riders. But they could form no estimate OF the
lamount of property destroyed therein, which mus
have been immense, from the total impossibility Of
Il removing The bulky articles. Of which they princ-
-lpay consisted among those Was 10000 chests OF
lback, and 10000 chests OF green teas, destroyed.
The security merchants, Mauqua Ponkequa, Chun
i lqua, and Futguas Hongs, were entirely consumed.
Mauqua sustained heavy loss principally in teas
: Having 1000 chests in his Hong at the time A
livery considerable amount n manufactured silks,
land other articles of small bulk, in the hands of the
S merchants, saved but large quantity Of
silks in unfinished state, in the hands of the
utacturers, slost the FIRE originated with them,
h and destroyed great number of their establish
e ments.
d OF foreign interests, the loss sustained by the
J. English India Company was much the greatest.
n independent of the total destruction OF their SPLEEN
did buildings. very considerable part of their
nua importation of British manufactures consisting
tof cloths, longells, camblets SC. was burnt-Ther
e loss in those articles alone was estimated at one
LnIt 49, 1lH kanr
pointed in timely assistance from their shipping at
Whampoa, they were entirely unprepared TO meet
the suddenness of the fire, which had reached their
buildings before any exertions were made for the
removal of their property and progressed so rapid
:, y afterwards, that very little could be saved; as
n even the most valuable articles OF private proper
d ~ OF the members of the Factory, could not be
J. removed
b The Factories of the Dutch and Spanish Com
Ipanys, being closed at the time, their loss with the
q exception of the buildings was triling. The Par
! sees, who have an extensive trade with the place
IS and large amount at risk at the time, escaped
3. with but little loss.
Al The loss sustained by the Americans, compared
: to the immense amount in danger, was very tTl
e fling, not exceeding in merchandise 10000 dollars
! The specie which remained in several OF the FAC
tories during the fire, was fortunately all ed
IS except f9om vault which had been entered by
c the Chinese, and robbed of few thousand dollars
I, before they were detected.
{ The most serious injury to the American interest
!, will be the delay and difficulty occasioned by the
p arrangement of all kind of business; and the IN
y favourable effect upon the market; Teas, Silks
and other important articles Of investment had al
ready experienced considerable rise, and no doub
would advance still further as very few OF the yes
! sells in port had secured their cargoes previously
= and the difficulty of effecting purchases, or con-
tracts afterwards was very great, particularly fol
Silks from the number Of Manufactures destroyed
. and their inability to them for considerable