Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-08


pie collected here owing 10 the density OF the smoke
and the rapid progress Of the fire. but many could mol De
induced to leave the covered walks until they were nan
suocaled, and few expelled by force tor te1
own saiety-The gates forced open with croWoatS
at the commencement Of the FIRE.
At one o'clock the north and west sides OF tne Elk
change were consumed, and the hre was rapio'y uP,
preaching the tower, which was erecteo aouut ~
years ngu The efforts of the hrenen appeared DOL 10
have the least effect; The flames extended rapidly over
the building although not less than twenty engines were
al work. indeed for what good they seemed 70 ao ley
might rs well hav been unemployed he Lora mayor
and great number Of commercial gentlemen urged MT
Braidwood to cut of The communication and save Inc
remaining portion of the edhce. lie explained mat IL
was impossible the building WINS so connected togelheI
with one continuous roof, and there was such all I'M
mense vnlune, that it would he a'al 70 any man "no
ascended the building No could doubt the accu
racy of Mr. Braidwood opinion, and The FIRE continued
ils work OF destruct"n proceeding from floor TO loor
and running along the corridors with the greatest
ranidi,v At two o'clock The flames reached The tow
er and The terror and excitement of the assembled
muttudes in Cornhll, MuDson-house street, ana Inc
Poutrey, were extreme. A thousand voices muir
INJURED at hns reached the tower, it's all over. Inc
appearance of the rgh,fu conaga,ion al this perioo
was awful in the extreme; the whole of the Exchange
was completely enveloped in flames, and The heat was
so great that the hremen and nuxlliares coulo scarcely
pursue their abours the burning mass lie sPeh-
did tower, nearly 100 f. in height WINS reduced 10
the musical peas of eight bes with tenor OF about
lS cwt fell after the other, carrying every thhg 10
their progress towards the pavement including the roo
and the s,onework, and the arch over The centre en-.
trance. The clock had very singular effect ~hhe
The lower was burning which was no doubt visible at
considerable distance. The plates of the dlas became
red hot, and the hands pointed to the hour twenty-five
minutes past one when the works took fire, melting the
chime barrels and the machinery in few minutes HIS
utterly impossible 10 describe the scene which present
cd itself to the eyes of The spectators, for although The
sky was uncoudcd and The shone forth in all It's
spendor yet its celestial brightness was totally o1scuea
by the dense volumes Of smoke and fumes, which issued
from the ruins. A shower Of fire was seen lowering
over the houses to the South Of the Exchange On
the tower being discovered 10 take fire, the Lp'a
Mayor sent messenger to the Tower Tor some troops
10 assist the civil power, and IN very snort ue
lurCe body Of soldiers arrived some "l whom LOOK up
position on the South side of Cornhi while others
were ordered 10 assist the inhabitants IN removing
their property 10 places Of safely. Co!nmi was iu
mediaely cleared of the people, who, Is out nsce
to stale behaved in very decorous manner, and but
one feeling that of regret, seemed 10 prevail. Every
body viewed the fire with establishment and disnay ana
fears were entertained for the safely OF the bank
and the adjoining church Of st. Bartholomew 8, aout
ting on the north cas-, corner Of the Exchange Inc
multitude frequently gave vent 10 their feelings oy eX,
CARNATIONS of hope that the bank and church woulo
be saved. Fortunately the wind blew from the north
and both ediices remained untouched, and were made
the repositories of large quantities of goods which were
there At half past two 4 general opinion seemed 10
prevail that the offices of the Royal Naval Hospital
at the side of the Exchange, would not he reached
md suggestion by some gentlemen present, Sc
vera engines were ordered 10 be drawn Up opposite
Sw.c,ing's alley. On this being done the hose were
the tops Of the houses the east side OF The
uey. which is very one, by which means the
iremen had perfect command over that portion OF The
Exchange md torrents of water were discharged INTO
the interior of the building hut Notwithstanding all their
efforts, the flames rapidly extended, and the tiremen
obliged retreat in consequence OF The great heal
The persons employed at the engines worked 10 their
utmost many OF them 10 their Knees IN waller ana ice
THAR t1p ord
MAYOR and Aldermen present; but unfortunately no one
thong of obtaining rtrpshment tor The poor fellows
The hemsn coats were covered with ce ana the whole
of Mansion house street, Wahrook Buckersbury, and
every lhornughare in the vicinity of the Exchange was
covered with water, which soon became frozen. The
Gresham Lecture room was totally consumed
AT half past three the north west and south sides OF
the immense building were burnt down. and The flames
had reached the rnst threatening the entire destruction
of The range of shops and dwelling houses connected
with the Exchange, and forming the west side OF Sweet
ing's alley. The inhabitants on both sides OF this mar
succeeded in removing The greater portion OF
their furniture and stock in trade before the flames
reached the a!ipy and goods to The amount of f5OOOO
were deposited in places of safety but good deal OF
heavy furniture could not be got out of the houses and
sacrificed At four o'clock the fire was still burn
ing with unabaed fury. The wind, which was blowing
fresh all The night, hsd increased almost 10 tempest,
and the immense was one body of flames The
remaining wing, the east shared The tate OF the Others
and with it the houses and shops In Sweeung aley,
got on 10 the roofs Of the houses the opposite side OF
Sweetinrs alley with their hose and branch pes con-
neced with eight powerful engines and directed pen.
tful supply of water the shops and houses below
then by which they were kept cool and prevented from
ipniting The eastern wing of the Exchange, like the
others was soon reduced hemp of ruins the flames
spreading from ror to floor and from one story 10 the
olher The roaring OF the elements, the falling OF huge
timber and the noise Of the engines occasionally inter
mingled with the shouts of the iremen and assistants
was almost deaening. The firemen never tagged in
their efforts from the commencement OF the hre out IN
van-the Exchange no longer eziss-It Is entirely des
troyed. ~
DEAR SiR-Begeing your reference to The accoWpa'
nyinr Review we have to add that the Cotton market
continues dull sales this day only 800 bales and prices
Dropping The weather we have had has proved
great check business, and if add 10 This the ca
gerness OF importers 10 sell without correspond
ing disposition 10 purchase the part OF dealers, the
unpasness of the market can be no matter o SURPRISE
Potash is lower and rather dull Pearlash has ln
proved and holders are asking d9f. 50t.
We have received surplus OF Rice: but parcels 20
arrive, are Offering at 3of and under
Cotirc the spot, very dull to arrive there is some
speculative demand consequence Of the pending ne
gotia,ons with Hayl and the troubles Of the Brazs
Nothing done in Whaebone.
We remain, dear Sir, your very obi servants
Couons-On the 9Th and OH nst the transactions in
u short s,n pie Colons animated and extensive,
and the ordinary 10 fair qualities OF these Couons-on
which we noticed decline of 3 centimes per half
kio in our preceding Review, recovered nearly the
ground they had lost Since then, there has been less
business doing the prices Of The qualities just named
have reverted the point at which they were at the
opening Of the market last week Other kinds have UNI
dergone no change.
Stocks 3lst December, 329a9 b. Of which 2709b u S.
Arr upto 18th January, 6e3O 6,e3O
39,Sl9 1859 I"
Salos up 10 18th jan, 1901 II, gT
Stock 18th January, 27siS 22,6G2
LIVERPOOL, Jan. H. 1898.
CorroN MARXET-The demand for cotton has been
good for the first part of the week, and the prices
maintained but towards the latter part of the week the
sales have been languid and holders DESTROYS to
SELL and have submitted to fall Of Sd under The quo
talions of last Friday