The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-21


MONTREAL, Aug. Is, ISa9.
ExcKement and D,smder-Desperats Assault on
an american Observation-Disclosures of Done
gami's Hotel.
The city throughout the whole Of yesterday was
in state of great excitement, consequent upon the
death Of young Mason. During The afternoon, the
coroner and jury visited the corpse, and after the
examination the inquest was adjourned till ten
O'Clock this morning. During the evening of
Thursday, large crowds, more formidable, not only
as regarded their numbers, but also in regard to
arms, were continually assembling opposite Orrs
hotel. These rambling parties INDUCED in groans
and Kisses for unpopular personages, high In
authority, and cheers for the I" poor fellows out
of place" A lawyer by the name of Drolet,
was recognized by one of the crowd, and
identified the man on whose affidavit Mr..
Ewing was taken up Mr. ID. is French Ca
madam, and violent partisan of the opposite
party. In less time, accordingly, than it takes me
to relate the circumstance, he was assaulted,
dragged OUT of cellar in which he had sought re-
fuge, and when all but killed, was carried by the
rioters to the main guards, and handed to the SOL
diers, with CRIES Of take your bloody French
man." His wounds are very dangerous, and I
have no doubt but that my next letter will bear
you the tIdings of his death. His medical men
state that should he survive now, he Will lose one
o fins eyes
have also heard (but until enabled to procure
certain information, must request your readers not
to pronounce judgment too hastily that Ameri-
can gentleman, whilst quietly walking home, was.
as he supposes mistaken for some one else, and
numerically beaten, and now hes in doubtful
state. The unfortunate gentleman supposes that
he must have been mistake for some other indl-
yidual. Not only are all his teeth knocked down
his throat, but his gums are even smashed. will
make full inquiries, and send them to you imme-
diately.
Large squads of military, horse and foot, paraded
the city throughout the night, and in many central
places, cavalry were plcketed, and troops bivou-
acked This tom foolery on the part, not only of
till about one o'clock. The monster bell of Notre
Dame pealed forth In rapid strokes the alarm of
fire, in which it was Immediately assisted by all
the other bells of the city, large and small. This.
added to the yels Of the various mobs, tramp of
troops, and firing of small arms, raised a din
worthy of lower and bacKer world. Following
the stream, was Mortified to find that Doneganl's
Hotel was on fire, and not the least chance existed
of its beng saved The crowd assembled was
immense, approaching to a multitude this, with
the immense bodies OF troops present, and the fire.
men in their uniforms, formed magnificent sight,
by the light of the burning building. Doneganl's
Hotel was formerly the residence of pri-
vate gentleman of the name OF Bingham, who,
possessed OF prlncely fortune, lived here
for many years. He at last married a Cana
dian lady, and, after a short time, proceeded
to Paris where. private letters state, they the
lions of even that great city. This is, of course,
attributable to his immense fortune, and the pref.
~ lace OF MIS-. b. Atter MI. bingham lett Cana
ia, 1t became the residence of the vice regal Gov
ernor's of Canada, during which period great re-
pairs and improvements were made 1t then fell
anto the possession of poor Donnegani whose name
it went by till destroyed. Mr. Donnegan spent
fortune on it, as well as embarrassed himself to a
very great amount besides. He was unable to
keep it up, called his creditors together, and hav-
ing placed everything in their hands, left with
heart that might be truly said to be bowed down
byweight of woe, for Italy, where he is now dying,
at Florence Of decline. The hotel the last two
years was sreadfully kept and managed, by that
committee whose hands it was placed by the
creditors. Here again, the intermlnable question
of race turns up. Half the committee was French
and half English. One half desired one thing and
the other opposed. These difficulties, however,
brought the hotel into much bad ojor, and the loss
was great in consequence, that they had at last
TO take different tack, and matters went on more
smoothly. This hotel is apubllc loss, and was as
great benefit to Montreal, as the Longueil canal
will be. Hardly any thing was savcd-all lost. The
building is insured for 900, not quarter Of its
value. A fireman by the name Of George Doug
lass, killed by the falling of stone from the
top of the burning building, as he was about 10
enter one OF the windows. The fire originated in
one of the upper stories; how, il not known. Du.
ring the burning, Sullivan "a lawyer was arrested
for firing pistol at Mr.. McCord, the police mags-
trate. It turned out, however, that he was very
drunk, and TAX ing aim at no one in particular.
AT 10 O'Clock this morning, the inquest on the
body the unfortunate Mason was proceeded with.
The Coroner, Of course, is firm ally of the
relpnpp party.