Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-06-16
From the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
The Earthquake.

POs""" "'s"s'0'S '"e"o"W oh the gIcas
convuIsion Of the 7lh Of May and the
first accounts, instead Of being exagger-
ated, appear TO have understa,ed the
destruction OF lie and property.
/ There is, however, one exception to
This remark. The calamlies at Gonaives,
as reported by Captain Varina, Of the
brig Pandora, arrived this week at Bos-
ION, were happily confined To the ruin ol
houses the inhabitants had timely warn
'ng in groaning sound, which thay
readIly understood, and rushing into the
streets, all escaped with life but two -
Most ofthe buildings in the place were
destroyed.
\ A letter from Cape Hoytien, received
in Philadelphia, estimates the loss OF life
at between eight and nine thousand. A
friend OF the writer succeeded in saving
his wife and one child-but his other
two perlshed in the ruins Of his dwelling.
The horrors Of pillsge were added to
those Of the earthquake. The writer
says -
The hour being that in which the in
habiianls were preparing for their even
ipg meal, The falling in Of the roofs and
raters scattered the fires, which seized
upon them, and in an incredibly short
splce Of time the whole woodwork of the
city was IN flames by o'clock The
country people poured into the city, arm
ed with machetes, knives and guns, and
commenced the work OF pilage aud mur-
der, killing every one who offered any
resistance to their depie edations. The
houses and stores Of The few whites and
principal merchants were the first To be
attacked These were soon sacked, and
every thing in the shape ofmovable prop.
er'y that was not covered up 10 the ruins
was taken possession of. Bands Of eis lat
or ten Of the plunderers would meet in
he streets and contend for the spoils, |
frequently leaving on tho ground half Off
their number dead or desperately woun-
ded.
Such scene, an informed by an eye /
witness, was scarcely ever beheld. Be
meath the runs the cries Of the wounded /
and dying for succor, were heard in vain
and in many cases four days elapsed be-
fore any efforts were made for their ex-
irIcatlon. One person was taken out alive
who had lived Gjleen days under a bed of
wall. Every merchant that could escape
made for the shipping, where upward of
one hundred we're crowded in four yes Il
sells Il
The survivors sleep in the country, in
the fields, none daring TO trust themselves
as yet under any cover. The stencil
iiom corrupted bodies was such that at
one time ii was feared some pestilence
would. break out but the fire and the
lime stone (Which the heat has conver-
ted into quick lme) is daily purifying the
air. The destruction OF life aud property
has been terrible, s II will be some time Il
ere The people can sufficiently overcome
heir fears to make any attempt to clear
away the ruins, or return 10 the places
where their happy homes so recently
stood.
The subjoincd account, prepared for
ica'lon here, was brought by Cap
ain Wilbur, of the schooner Ii. Law
renee, arrived yesterday from Port au
Platte:
On the 7lh day Of May the island Of
liaii was visited with an earthquake,
which IN rs destructive effects has proved
o he The scvrrcst we have ever had on
al al. L..
~ days excessively hot and sullry The
varying from G2 to % dcgs.
n the shade, and 10 degs. when expos
ID to the solar rays. The winds were
lot, Parching and unrefreshing, and the n
rought had been for some time prevail q
ng. In the afternoon Of that day, at r.
bout half past . o'clock, / was standing
n the square, which is situated in an !.
levaied part ofthis town. The sky was Ii
ncommonly serene, and the descending v
un promised to be bri ght and glorious in |
$ setting Just then, casting my eyes n
pward Mount Isabella, which overlooks II
ne town, l perceived dark vapof as c
ending and enveloping its base and s
des; rolling, rumbling sound imme- b
'a'oy suCCeeueu, anu lnStantaneOuSIy II n
anne shock which nearly dashed me n
} the ground. The level of the square :,
ppeared undulatng like the waves of A
e sea, faint and sickly sensation came +
yer me, and dizziness and difficulty of q,
reaihing. The houses rocked to and h
o like vessels in storm. h,
The ground was rent in various parts. Il ?;
lany persons were thrown down by the
'rce oithe conclusion, others were reel =,
'g as IN a state Of drunkenness. Kin
"A second shock followed, yet stronger di
ian the former, accompanied by the y
lme appearances, effects, and terrors. h,
he church, a strong massive building Il #
'emed tolterlng to its fail, the bricks ~
CIV from the solid masonry as if from Il,
rojectles; wide assures appeared in =;
he walls and arches, and the whole :,
ould have been levelled but for the un. =,
ommon strength Of the outside buliresses n;
nd the lowness OF the building. II was nl
ieciing to hear the terrific cries and +,
menia,ions OF the women and children, II,