The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-13


PHILADELPHIA, June 12, 1845.
An alarm of fire which rung through our city
about halfpast ten o'clock on Wednesday night
was caused by the burning Of the Academy of Fine
Arts, in the rear of the Artists Fund Hail. Chestnut
street, above 10Th. The flames were first discover
ed in the cellar of the building, and, owing to the
difficulty of access by the fremcn with their appara
tus, the progress of destruction rapid. 1t 'is
greatly to be regretted, that the academy entire
ly consumed, together with its contents, including
Benjamin Vests celebrated paintings of "Death on
the Pale Horse, "Christ Rejected, )" and many 9TH
ers justly ranked among the finest efforts Of genius
in the country. Public opinion seems to trace the
origin of the fire to ncendiarism but it scarcely
be imagined that there should exist among us any
villain black or base enough to commit such wan
ton, senseless, and wicked act Of Vandalism! The
academy was surrounded by very many large and
valuable buildings, and great praise is due to our
fremen for their successful exertons in staying the
progress of the raging clements and saving al
most incaculabe amount of property from desruc-
ton. The Paramount company, whose engine was
destroyed in the hremen's riot mentioned in my last
letter, having since procured for temporary use, an
apparatus formerly owned by the Fame engine
company, was first on the ground, and in active ser
vice; and the exerons made, and the feas OF daring
performed by the members, were so remarkable, as
to render it matter of sincere regret that compa-
ny SO distinguished by its efficiency should have
the shadow of reproach resting upon il for partci-
pating in any of the disturbances of the public
peace, and the violation of proprety and good or
der.
A law was passed by our legislature, during the
last session. providing for the payment of the troops
called into service during the Kensington and
Southwark riots, in May and July, 1874; in pur-
suance of which, Major General Patterson has
issued the blank forms for the return of the
rolls Of companies which were then on duty,
preparatory to the speedy settlement of their
cio IL. has ;,,t he
raDgement Of this matter, but il was caused by cir
oumstances not easily overcome. Now, however,
all obstacles are removed, and the military who sa-
crifced their private interests and occupations TO
serve the public in most patriotic manner, will have
some compensation Though mseraby inadequate)
made them at an early day.
learn from Harrisburg that the counties of Phil
adelphia, Lancaster, York, Chester, Delaware,
Fayette, and Lehigh, have notified the State treas
of their determination to pay into the treasury,
on or before the 18th of July, proximo, their re-
spective quotas of State tax for the current year.
The amount to be received from the counties here
enumerated will exceed fire hundred thousand dollars
and this sum will be greatly increased, l have no
doubt, by payments, within the time specified from
other counties which have not yet officially notified
Colonel Snowden of their intention TO come to the
rescue of Pennsyvania's plighted faith, and most
sacred obligations. The truth OF the old maxim
that 'when there is will, there is always wav. -
is here most happily illustrated. The good work
may now be regarded as accomplished past perad-
venture; and, my word for it, there will be no de-
linquency hereafter What pity II Is that Sidney
Smith, The reverend dgnitnry who knew SO we'll
how to ''beat the drum ecclesiasc," had not lived
a few months longer to see the noble State, which
was in so peculiar the subject of his anath-
emas, emerge from the shadow Of the temporary
cloud which adverse fortune had cast over her, as
sumo her proper position and demonstrate how liz.
tie he and other kindred libellers knew Of her inn
mense powers and the inherent integrity and pari.
otism of her people. You, sir, rejoice in being a
son Of Virginia, the smother Of satesmenr--a Conn