The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-09
Correspondence d The National Iateiligeneer.

NEW YORK, Oct b.
There have been four destructive fires in New
York within the last twenty-four hours! This city,
In consequence Of the destroying element, Is mil
lion and half poorer than II was when the sun set
last evening! The news Of the awful conhagralion
In Philadelphia had but reached the city last even
ing, and become generally known, when our own
eyes were appalled, with scenes of similar desiruc-
ton. Night had not fairly set in when the alarm
bell called the citizens Of confagration on the
North river, and to another in Brooklyn. This was
about six o'clock and the fire In the city, but pre-
lude 10 three others subdued with the destruc-
ton Of the contents Of some poor tenements. The
fire in Brooklyn destroyed several valuable build
ings and vast amount Of property
Before midnight fire broke out in another part
Of the city, destroying ten twelve buildings, and
the contents of almost all Of Them and, ere this was
subdued, the City Hall alarm-be called the fremen
of the ty, who had been telling throughout the
night, in slill another direction. The fire was now
down town, and in one of the busiest parts OF the
city The time was between IL and o'clock, and
the place where the confagration commenced on
Water street, near Hslt's, or the United States Ho-
tel The particulars would fill your columns You
can form an opinion Of the extent of the damage
when told that from o'clock TO this morn
ing the fire continued without interruption. The
flames were seen nearlySd hundred miles of, and
presented scene OF grandeur almost unparalleled.
The con6agration lighted the whole city, and but
for the mildness OF the weather. and the quiet OF the
night, II would have extended into the heart of il.
As il Is, an entire square, stretching from Water TO
Front street. and from Fulton street to Burng Slip,
has been destroyed, with several valuable stores be-
yond The square, most ol them situated on Water
and Fletcher streets. The extent of the damage the
value Of the property destroyed and consumed, and
the amount Of the Insurance. cannot be known before
tomorrow There are various estimates, from one
To three millions The truth lies between them.
miracle almost has saved the city from tenfold
loss The 6remen were fatigued when the last fire
broke out, and many OF them were detained up town
when their services were most needed elsewhere.
The force was therefore divided. Many had gone
on to Philadelphia, and many were in Brooklyn;
and the hard service here weakened the exeions Of
the few who were left. Much of the shipping in
port, and many Of The squares on Pearl street and
Maiden Lane, would certainly have been destroyed
had there been the least wind. As twas some OF
the shipping hauled of into the stream from the
vicinity Of Burlng Slip. How the fire originated
is still subject of inquiry. Fortunately, no lives
have been lost.
The Liverpool steamer will be due tomorrow,
and some are expecting her today.
Hugh S. Legare, of South Carolina, was in SYRIA
cuse on the Sd inst attending the Conservative Stale
Convention. He made speech there which Is
spoken Of as thrilling and electrical.
The Springfield (Mass) and New York Railroad
celebration on Thursday was splendid affair. GOV.
Everett, Ex-Governor Lincoln, Mr.. Calhoun, Nj q
and other distinguished men, ,. w. y.