Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-08-05
From the Boston Patraot Of July s8.
EGYPT

We find under the date OIL malta, I'D Tue
Gibraltar Papers, advices rom Alexandra
TO April 98, which we believe is the latest
intelligence from Egypt. These accounts
repeat that there had been sort OF rtbei'
lion in the Upper provinces, beaded by
Shek who called himself prophet, and
pretended 10 have come from heaven 10
reform the Mshometan religion. IL was
announced by the government that he bad
been taken and beheaded, but this was
not fully relied upon 1t was SAID that 'h's
rebellion would al any rate retard the ex-
petition of the Pacha OF the Morea It
was reported that some English travellers
had lost their lives by falling into the hands
of the insurgents, but was subsequently as.
certained that though they had been seve'
raj DAYS in the hands OF the rebels they
were safe. and we're on their way TO Alex
andria. Among them were MIR. MADDOX
and Mr.. Hull. The plague was raging
" ilh unusual violence at Cairo, Ii was
said tina, the deaths amounted to three hun"
dred and fifty daily. The following &C.
count is given OF The fire a, Cairo.
MALTA, May 96--We have already 81 g.
ven an account oil the destructive fire
which took place at Cairo on the slst
March last; and we now Publish another
from an authentic source, which CONTAINS
some further details Of this dreadful catas.
trophe.
The FIRE broke out 10 large building
near the arsenal. when small quantity
OF gunpowder blew up, but did not cause
any great damage. Kaya Bey and other
great men in command went Immediately
to the spot; but the wind blowing fresh
from the north, all their exertions towards
arestiog JIG progress proved unsuccessful,
when at about sunset magazine, con
tanning $50 centars Of gunpowder, caught
FIRE and exploded with a tremendous noise.
This explosion caused a terrible shock
that was severely telt all over the town;
the windows OF the French quarter ( distant
about three miles from the citsdeD we're
broken to pieces. Amongst those who
los, their lives were Ali Bey, Inspector
General of the Linen Manufactures ('he
same who commanded at Rosetta in The
last action with The Enclish), and Emin
EfeDdi, Chief OF the Engineers 1 he
Kaya Bey was but little hurt. The con-
f1agration now gained ground. and the ar.
senal as well as the adjoining buildings
were seen in flames. Another magazine
with 40C cantars of guhpowder was next
blown up.
On the morning of the s2d it was re-
ported that the great vault under ground,
where the malH deposit OF powder rests,
was surrounded with fire So that nobody
dared to approach the citadel, and conse
quentIy every thing was let in the hands
OF Providence This deposit, il is 10 be
observed, amounted to thirty thousand can
tars, This circumstance naturally impress.
ed great terror in The minds OF the lDhahit>
ants. who, thinking only OF their personal
safety, forgot the danger Of the plague,
and fed towards Shoobrd Boo!ak, and TO
he western side OF the Nile, not to be eS
posed TO the effect OF the explosion il il
should take place Others repaired to the
gardens near town. Sig. Rossel'l's gar.
deu was fulI of Europeans and Levan!ipes,
The Neapolitao, Swedish and Spanish
Consuls, with their families, were Tece'v~
ed 10 Mr.. Salts garden, as well as the ia.
miIy OF the Pacha's physician, his inter
prefer and others The most complete
disorder reigHed among The inhabitants till
The evening, when the intelligence was
spread that the fire was not near the large
deposit, and had almost ceased. Some
however did not return 10 town untll The
next morning; smGng these were The fsDi-
lies of toe Austrian Consul DR.. Martini,
SC. In fact, this morning. the conlagra-
ton having muCh diminished, the kaya
Bay returned 10 the citadel, and after ma.
ny sxertions finally succeeded to sloP ii
entirely there.
In consequence OF some conversation
with his Highaess 81 Bene Air, MIR. Salt
was persuaded that the fire could no, pc
netrate to the large deposite OF gunpow-
der; in fact it is kept 10 one OF The ancient
subterranean caverns cut in the rock on
the Mok attain, forty feel deep, and The
entrance is defended by three iron doors.
OF which the inner one is blocked up with
earth, for greater precaut'oh
The Pasha during this time remained
at Shoobra, and did not coee TO town, ow.
ing no doubt to bis being in quarantine,
but sent an order for one hundred thou.
sand piastres to be distributed to those
who would venture their lives in exiin.
gushing the flames; and by giving from
FIVE hundred to thousand pia.ires ormore
to each man, the miners were at last indu-
ced 10 set seriously to work.
1t is impossible to ascertain how The
fire originated, but il is supposed 10 have
been oecasiaae6 By negligence