Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-24
The Hon. c.. G. CAMBRrLESG,
Cha Com. Of Ways and Means.
COLLECTOR Or!,cM, half past ? o'clock.

CoLLEcrDES 0r!lCE, half past clock.
.lLw lUJh, DccGmbrr II, 1873.
DEAR SlG:--i.ast night, between eight and nine
o'clock fire broke out near the Merchants Exchange,
and is still raging m.s violently. although the firencn
have got il under cDuIrol BY This disastrous visitation,
between four aud five hundred buildings have been de-
struycd and goods and rirr effects, u the auoG;t Of
from fifteen " twenty millions Of dollars This caHln-
ty falls principally upon tie heavy importing merchants;
and tlry uliqucstionaGy bc:"nc greatly c!bar-
raised, and maliy vi thcGl ruined.
The bonds cf these individuals Eiust be dIGhon"rcd /;
al. business is suspended, and city, from being the
seat Of prosperity and wealth. within tweny-our hours,
j.; ,"w the abode oil and despondcncy. IL was
then M FIRST, that the bonds which should not lie pl!d,
cwug tic Consideration aid confusion which prevail
present. might lr held subject to your DECISION upon
the mailer; but: upo" orc mature reflection! have de-
tcr.iaed that canEot, III any way. Or under any CIR
cumslances G.vlae from the laid down u the
aw Consequently ] snail hand them to the Dis
rct Attorney, usual trusting and believing tiaL Cen
gress will forthwith take some action on the subject OF
this heavy calamity.
The Merchants Exchange and Post Office icing de-
Stroycd have caused temporary accommodations t" he
rcctcd in the Inspector attached ~ Ibis Office
or tic accommodation Of the al;cr, unit, better can DC
procured elsewhere. Tie effects oi the Post Office were
all saved from Injury.
This oiicr was ia .lc greatest danger for long tine
as was onc.I!ait Of the ely. But did not
c!. but prepared 10 every thing had it teen
necessary.
am dear sf, with the gicatcst respect,
Your obedcnt servant
SAMUEL SWARIWOUT, Collector.
IEoa. LEVI HoopHrgy,
Seeretaryg lie Treasury, Washington, D. c.
F+Jm III: S@rstary Of tic Treasury To tic c,Hcctor at
.Ic,c York.
TE#,srHr DEPARTMENT., 18th Dec, 1885
Dear Sir SuuT letter of Liz. lit instant. COMMUNE
eating the disastrous intelligence concerning The late
fire in the ciiytuf New York, has been received.
hardly need assure YOU that, under this great calai
y Your citizens slail have extended 10 them, from this
J,,1, a.
require ard which the laws and official duty will permit
me 10 render.
therefore approve your course in furnishing tempo
rary accommodations for the Pest Office, and have
tened tho proposals cf the Marshal tender also for
tie same purpose The use Of the rooms in the City Hall
now occupied hy the United States Courts.
in respect delay in tie collection Of nds or 10 re-
missions reductions Of duties ia certain cases. they
bot. deserve Wry favorable consid ticp. But you
remark concerning your power about the former it
may be added rs 10 my power about boi That The acts Of
Congress now give ne no control over lie SUBJECT 10
not doubt however, that the subject will 4c taken
up by Congress Monday. and some expression of its
views given, and in the meantime, do not hes:
tate to believe HAT you aud the District Attorney would
be sustained anI justified it, in the exercise OF sound
discretion under this alcting emergency, you did
press the collection of bonds in all Cases, where The pub
lie security would not be impaired by short delay, and
where the parties in situation which would Froba
bly, cause Congress 10 extend TO them relief.
servant, LEVI WOODBURY.,
Scfre'GTygf The Treasury,
- SAMUEL SwA RTwour. ESQ.
P, S. The Solicitor OF the Treasury will be requested
to write to similar effect to-day The District Attor
nev in regard to the bonds
The Secretary of the Treasury having transmitted 10
the Committee oWays and Means a!elter from The Col
eccr of the port of New York, giving account Of the
late disastrous confagraon at that place. and represent
ing the entire suspension of credit and pros,alion of
trade, the Committee respectfully submit the following
report:
Deeply sympathising with the immediate and several
great national calamity, the Committee of
Ways and Means lost no time in considering the commu
ncation of the Secretary of the Treasury The disaster
is Of unparalleled character and It's consequences
must he felt BY every interest and every quarter Of the