The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-10

taking possession for the time being of several Of
the steamboats, then in port The Fundamental
principle of this association is characterization and
riot; and, by not arresting and Furnishing with the
utmost rigor of the law every one of its members,
license is virtually given them 10 perpetrate with
impunity their deeds of violence and outrage As,
therefore, our civil authorities conduct themselves
in this matter, in maintaining the majesty and tri-
umph Of the law, so will be spared for the future
all repetition of such disgraceful scenes, become
a byword and reproach, at which with justice the
finger of scorn can be pointed by the rest of the
Union.
The destruction of property by the confagraton
yesterday morning, including the hve boats and
their cargoes, will not be under one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, of which one hundred and
twenty-five is covered by insurance. The Ago
mas safe was rescued, containing some fifteen thou
sand dollars but four thousand dollars in specie,
belonging to a Mr.. Smart, Of Kansas, that was in
boxes in the cl.rks Office, lost, with the resi-
due of her cargo. Many passengers, who were
visiting the city to make purchases, lost large sums
of money, besides their baggage, and every thing
they had on board, and many barely escaped with
the preservation Of their lives. Captain Yount, Of
this Inflated boat is supposed to have perished as
the last that was seen or heard from him he was
endeavoring to escape from the flames by sliding
down one Of the sancheons Of the Algoma; but
having but one arm to aid himself with, the other
being in crippled condition, he is supposed to have
fallen either in the burning wreck or in the river,
and thus persisted.
The mate Of one of the boats that was on fire ex-
hibited great deal Of forethought and presence of
mind by the following heroic conduct: There was
on board his boat some forty kegs Of powder, and
no sooner were the flames communicated to the
boat, than he sprang to where the powder was
stored and by the help of two or three hands of the
boat succeeded in throwing all in the river before
the flames had quite reached the portion of the boat
where it was stored But for this act an explosion
would have ensued in few moments, that would
have been attended with very serious loss Of life
There was one error in my letter of yesterday in
stating that all FIVE Of the hus of the burnt boats
had sunk That Of the Dubuque did not sink, and
is so far unnjured as to justify her owners in re-
building her cabins and upper works upon ii.
There has been great change of the weather
within few days, and it is to-day cool enough for
thick clothes. There were but mine deaths from
cholera, and as an epidemic ii is regarded by our
board Of health, well as physicians, to have en-
trey left US. Our citizens have already commenced
returning the city, and business of all kinds wears
an improved and mo,e animating aspect. Within
the limits of the bumt district there are between
ninety and one hundred new stores going up, which
for architecture and durability will be equal to any
that have ever been built in ST. Louis The loss OF
so many steamboats,, all of the class that navigate
the Missouri, Illinois, and Upper Mississippi rivers,
will materially embarrass the fall business, that
there is now every prospect of being very heavy,
unless boats can be purchased on the Ohio to take
the places Of those consumed
SPARTACUs.