The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-20
From the N. Y. Sun. extra-sept IL.
IMPORTANT FROM C1INA-AwFUL CON
FLAGRATION IN CANTON.

FLAGRATIoN IN CANTON.
THEATRE BURNT, AND FOURTEEN HUNDRED
PERSONS KILLED!
The new clipper ship Rainbow, Captain Laud,
arrived here this afternoon, at o'clock from Chi
ma 5th June.
Captain Laud made the passage out in ITO days,
bad weather, and suffered severe gale third day
out. He has made the home voyage in l04 days,
against the monsoon! Best trip on record.
The proposed alterations in the English sugar du.
ty would, it feared, efectualy check all ship
ments Of white or clsyed sugar from China.
The Friend Of China, of May 81, from which we
copy the annexed details of dreadful fire in Can
ton, announces the shipment of the entire crop of
new teas. Business dull in consequence.
The Midas, from New York, arrived at Canton
on the 2lst of May.
From the Friend Of China. May 81.
COMPLICATION IN CANTON.
On Sunday afternoon fire broke out in theatre,
within the walls Of the city, it has been the Of
melancholy loss of life, well as the destruction
of much property.
The theatre formed the centre of square, to
which there was only access by one narrow lane
After the fire observed, the audience endeavor-
ed to escape by the lane; but, unfortunately, the
crowd from without were trying to force their way
into the square, and prevented large number Of
those who were within from obtaining egress; the
two bodies appear to have got jammed, the greatest
IL is supposed that upwards Of eight hundred
lives were lost by the fire, the falling timber, or
borne down by the crowd and sufocation. The
bodies are SO horribly mutilated, that their friends
cannot recognise them in consequence of this hum
dreds lie unclaimed, and the worst consequences
are to be apprehended from their exposure in such
climate at this season.
Ii is to be hoped that the city au,isrites will have
them buried at once; though from the national pre-
Judices of the people with regard to the dead, and
the fial affection which prompts them to pay great
respect to the ashes of their departed kindred it is
feared that days will be allowed to eapse before the
unclaimed and nnrecognisable are disposed Of
We have had call from gentleman who left
Canton on Tuesday evening, who has favored US
with further particulars. BY the Mandarin's books,
the total number of killed is 1887 including SO
male and female actors; the wounded are estimated
at 2,l00.
On Monday, the day after the FIRE, part of the
ruined wall fell and killed thirty more, woundng
several others.
II is rather remarkable that thirty years ago SIM
liar accident happened at the same theatre AT that
time the authorities forbade dramatic performances
by the inhabitants; the present company are outside
people 1t is anticipated that an edict will be issued
strictly prohibiting all such exhibitions in future.
The authorities have purchased 400 collins for the
bodies that have not been claimed, and they will he
inferred Immediately. A large portion of the dead
females; and it is feared that not few were
murdered by the robbers that nest the city, on pur-
pose to obtain their bracelets and other ornaments.