Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-23
[Speciol correspondence of The Pieayane ]

VERA CRUZi June lCfC.
Genl!emen-Our city has been thrown into
terrible excitement BY an accident which occur
red about 10 O'Clock this morning in The lower
par, OF the city. An explosion Of powder took
pace, causing the death OF from twelve 10 TWEEN.
~ persons-most oil hein women.
| have lust returned from visit 10 the scene
Of the accident where renamed an hour, du.
ring which time saw the DO lies of three wo-
men removed rom the ruins, horribly mutilated.
Up 10 this time seven bodies have been recover
ed four are those Of women, three of men.
Two men and one woman have been taken out
wounded.
The house in which the explosion took place
was occupied by forty Mexican washer-women,
and to,tilla makers. 1t was resort for poor
PEOPLE from the country, and a supposed haunt
OF guerrlas A part Of the front room below
was occupied by two Spaniards, who traiicked
in all sorts Of merchandise, much like the caba-
ret keepers of New Orleans, and they were
without doubt engaged in buying up or snug
Cling in ammunition to supply the guerrilas.
How the powder came 10 explode is not known.
They are removing the ruins as fast as posi-
ble and il is to be hoped that BY night all who
are buried beneath them will be disinterrcd.
There is no hope, however, that there can be
any survivors among them Fortunately, the ac-
cdent occurred when most Of the women were
in The back yard washing or many more might
have been killed.
Considerable damage was done 10 some of The
buildings in the vicinity. The confusion near
the scene renders i;imposshe 10 arrive al the ea.
act number Of persons, as all who ircquenied the
house ant have not returned home are now sci
down amongst The number Of the dead. The
scene, as body after body has been taken out, was
Of the mos; painful description. A guard was
placed 10 keep The crowd back, but il could moi
prevent men and women-brohers, sisters, ard
relations : from rushing in TO endeavor 10 recog-
niZc the features oil The victims. could not ht lp
noticing poor Mexican boy, who had lost an
arm during the bombardmrnl, who had volun-
reercl 10 assist The laborers. He did more work
in removing rubbish with his one hand than any
two men employed. believe twenty Americans
could have done twice the work oil The TWO hun
drcd Meyicans engaged.
Al The time OF The explosion Gen. Smith was
only about Two doors above the house. and may
say barely escaped being killed. Capt. Winder
h as been on the spot all day and deserves great
deal OF praise Tor his uniTine energy in endea.
yoring 10 release the unfortunate sufferers.
About an hour alter The explosion some OF the
lluibers OF The ruins took fire, and had an OPP
pununity OF seeing Tor The first time their pro-
cess for obtaining wafer. IL could not have been
more than Two and a hall minutes from the time
the alarm was given before TWO hundred donkeys
and mules loaded with kegs Of water, were on
the spot, or al least the head oil The train, which
Ilearn had been got ready as soon as the expo-
sion took place in case they should be wanted.
These are the water carriers OF the city, and for
the privilege Of using wafer from The fountains
they have 10 keep them clean, and always hold
themselves in readiness night or day with their
kegs filled 10 put out any tire that NAV occur.
The ships America AMI Russia leave this
evening Tor New Orleans, with troops and sick
The Yucalan fever is raging violently in We
IA Cruz. and amongst lis victims fad on The
lis. Carts Wheat, Tenbrinck, White, Kerr and
many other officers, bu, there is great uncer-
,ainly whether their services will be accepted, or
they receive transportation. This going 10 war
and finding yourself is not what Il is cracked up
10 be, and il is doubtful whether Yucatan will be
able 10 iced them after they get there. With fair
prospects Of Obtaining supplies, such az ate abso.
lutely necessary FOR an army, have no doubt
bu! that from three 10 four bundled could be en-.
Used here and over thousand from The army
alone.
Gen. Smith, with his staff, paid visit 10 Com.
Perry yeslerday on board the Cumberland and
was received with all The honors 10 which his
rank entities him.
Within the last three or four days the yellow
fever appears 10 be on The decrease, but hear
Of many cases OF bilious fever with those who
are acclimaled.
Our latest dates from Mexico were sent by the
| Wafer Witch, but we shall have two days LATER
By the Mexican mail to.nighl, if NO accident &C.
ours 10 the diligence. Yours, &c,