American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-03-07
correspondence of the American Republican,
WAsuISGroN, March 6, 1915.


One O'Clock, a. Nj.
Tremendous aud Destructive CONFEDERATION
That splendid edifce, the National Theatre,
which Burton has rendered alike popular and
profitable by his excellent management, during
tlc present season, is now, deeply regret to
state, totally destroyed by fire, together with
several stores, dwellings, and other buildings
contiguous TO the theatre on f. and Thirteenth
street | have Just returned from the burning
ruins after spending four hours at the coniia-
grafton. have witnessed the sad ravages of
the devouring elements, and sincerely sympa-
thizc with all the Sufferers; not forgetting the
members of Buron's talented company, who
have lost their wardrobes, dresses, sc. 1t APP
pears that the fire was first discovered in the
oil room, about S o'clock, while the perform
ancc was going on. The house, although not
crowded, was respectfully filled; and on the
alarm beng given the audience fortunately re-
tanned their presence Of mind and made their
escape from the building without any personal
injury. lean from one Of the performers,
that as soon as the fire was discovered in the
oil room, the door was perhaps injudcously
broke open, when the flames communicated to
the scenery in the rear Of the stage, and an I'M
eXtinLnlshable blaze immedi atcy followed
The alarm bells were quickly rung and all the
fire companies and an immense body OF citizens
repaired to the Conilagration. 1t was found
difficult to supply the engines with water; and
the hose had to be supplied from the Washing
ton canal which Is some distance from the thea
tire y brisk wind from the west drove the
flames towards thirteenth street, and in very
short time the roots Of three houses OH f. street
belonging to Mr.. Allison Mailer and MIR. o.
Neal caught fire. Soon afterwards two good
brick dwellings on thirteenth street owned by
Mr.. Louis Vivaus and Michael Noursc, Esq,
also took fire; as dld several wooden and frame
buildings, in the rear Of those dwelling houses
and of the National Theatre. Between nine
and ten o'clock the blaze was ppallng-fakes
Of fire, pieces of burning scenery, and immune
rahle sparks filled the air. The scene was at
once awful and sublime | never witnessed Il
grander scene at any fire in this metropolis
nor have | ever witnessed so extensive a con-
fagraton; it was indeed most destructive to
private property. The blaze was far greater
than at the General Post Office when the old
building was destroyed several years ago. At
one time the Globe office was considered in
imminent danger; but the wind, fortunately
for the owners of that establishment, blew to-
wards the east, and the Theatre is separated
from the Globe office by a narrow passage. l.
understand the National Theatre, lately pur-
chased by Ogle Tayloe, Esq, was not insured.
The four buildings east of the Theatre are,
think, with part Of their contents, totally de-
stroyod. The brick houses on 18th st. owned
nv Mr. Noprsc and Mr.. Vivans, are nearly
consumed, the interior wood work at least on
the second and third floor, being altogether de-
s'royed. think it is not an incorrect estimate
put down the loss of private property by the
contiagraton at $4,000.
1t is to be apprehended, that much valuable
furniture is greatly injured by beng thrown or
dropped from the upper windows into the
streets, and think there must have been some
damage done at the Globe office, although the
building fortunately escaped,
The fire companies of Washington and
Georgetown made great tand laudable exer-
tl0ns TO arrest the progress of the flames; and
If they did not sooner effect that desirable OBJ
Ject, it must be attributed TO the want of water.
Two fire companies from Alexandria arrived at
the fire to render assistance about half past
nine o'clock, they had run their apparatus with
astonishing CELEBRITY along the turnpike road,
distance of seven miles. This was consider
ed by the assembled multitude as most praise
worthy act; and the Alexandria firemen ran up
their hose reel and engine in front of the thea
tire, amidst the hearty cheers of several thou
sand spectators. METROPOLIS.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 1915.
The late Destructive CoQAagration about which
| wrote to you very early this morning, has
been the general topic of conversation in this
city during the whole day Thousands of per-
sons have visited the ruins of the National
Theatre and the other buildings, that were de-
stroyed by the devouring element. A very ge-
neral sympathy is felt for the sufferers, who
cannot afford to lose their clothing, wardrobes,
&c. understand that a meeting will be held
tomorrow night, at Fuller's hotel, for the pur-
pose of getting up Citizens Ball, for the be-
netit of the actors and actresses whose cloth
ing, dresses, &c. are burnt up in the Theatre
| am inclined to think that such ball, and for
such an object, will be literally patronized.-
MIR. Burton, the manager, estimates his loss at
about $1,000; but he wants nothing for himself
The suffering members of his company are diff
ferently circumstances some Of them have lost
their "little all" and lost it too, when they
might have saveda part of it at least, had they
not yielded to the generous impulse of aiding
the ladies to make their escape from the burn
ing building.
am told the principal sufferer by the de-
s,ructon Of the National Theatre, is Gen. Van
Ness, and not Benz, Ogle Taylor, Esq, as was
at hrst supposed MIR. Taylor is considerable
sufferer, so is Mr., Rch'd Smith, Mr.. Harrison
Smith, Mr.. Larned, and other Stockholders
lac National Theatre originally cost the pro-
prietors $4,000. 1t was lately purchased by
MIR. X. o. Taylor, for himself and the present |
stockholders for Sl3, 800.
There was no insurance on the Theatre.
understand the Fire Insurance Companies re-
fused to iusnrc for less than six per cent.
METROPOLIS.
AN ELOQUENT PRAYER. The following
prayer was offered OH the morning Of the inau-