The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-12
Our Philadelphia Correspondence.

PHILADELPHIA July 10, 1850
The Great Fire ~ PhiiadeLphia-1hs Leading In
eidents-7he Loss, &c.
The telegraphic report, published in the Herald
of this morning, of the terrible confagration which
occurred in this city last evening, is, in the main,
as accurate and as full as circumstances, at the
time, could possibly admit OF. The alarm Of fire
was given about hslfpast four O'Clock, and COM
menced at the -four and hay establishment, No.
az North Wharyes. Notwithstanding the narrow
streets and alleys in the neighborhood, and the
blistering heat of an unobstructed July sun, in a
few minutes, several thousand men, women and
children choked up every avenue leading to
the scene of destruction. The firemen, who
were, in great numbers, on the spot,
worked with will, but still the flames spread and
spread with fearful rapidly, until they reached
the saltpetre warehouse of Brock 81 Son, when a
terrific explosion took place. Bales of cotton, hay,
barrels, hsgshesds, boxes. rafters, beams, and
portions of the roof all in an ignited mass and en-
circled in bright sheet Of fire, were forced into
the air, at least one hundred and fifty feet, while
above all. rose white, misty column Of smoke,
which seemed, at least, TO touch the clouds. IL
was the most awfully sublime sight | ever
beheld. AT length The burning mass com
menced to descend, amid the crash of falling
walls, and the wild efforts of the frenzed people
below to escape what seemed to be certain, horri-
BILE destruction to all In few seconds, what
sights, what sounds, Men, women, and children,
burnt, crushed, and crisped out Of all resemblance
To humanity. The wounded bowling with agony
the uninlured shrieking from alright, while many
madly plunged into the Delaware TO escape a form
OF death calculated 10 sppa the stoutest hearts and
strongest nerves. The iirenen fell back, and with
difficulty rescued their engines and hose carriages,
several OF them IN mutilated state; and for
while they were completely panic struck.
During the cessation, the fire gathered addi-
iional force and fury, and came darling, with
its vast forks OF flame from house to house,
unchecked and unopposed. AS the flames spread,
and mighty columns Of smoke rose and
were slowly lifted over the city, the alarm, through
the tollng bells, was communicated in every d.
reciion, and hire companies FASTENED 10 the spot
nom every section of the county. The rowdy"
companies, who had been ordered out of service,
were promptly pardoned and taken into favor, and
i is hut just to add they rendered efficient aid
The Paramount Company, one ofthe prescribed"
mustered one hundred strong, and rushed TO the
hire with the wild and eager shouts Of storming
party of veterans, resolvedto do or die.
Night fell, the wind rose, and still the fire
rsged, end roared, and devoured, with unaba-
house top, glistened in the lurid light and for
twenty miles round the city, the fire could be
distinctly seen. The inhabitants of the lower
and upper districts took the alarm, and under
the impression hat the whole Of the city proper
was one vast flame of fire, poured throux the lead
ing avenues &c Chestnut street in great numbers
detachment Of marines from the Navy Yard was
brought into requsiiion with the view OF arrestng
the progress Of the fire by blowing up the houses In
the neghborhood, while al the same time telegra-
PHO dispatches were forwarded. invoking the aid
Of The firemen Of our sister cities Of New York and
The newspaper offices, in Third street, were
crow ded with people. divided interest literally
Rlucing them 10 the spot-at one moment eagerly
listening 10 the last intelligence from the burnt dis
liict, end The next hanging the last report from
The chamber Of the dying hero and patriot at Wash
ngton. About eleven o'clock, the flames were
under control, and about the time elilgence
was recei' ed that General Taylor had sure ndered
~ last. but TO no mortal enemy. II was near day.
ight before all danger was passed.
The burnt district comprises an area OF from hf
cen TO twenty Ii is estimated that three hun
lred buildings have been destroy ed many of them |
arge warehouses, filed with the most valuable |
Merchandise The loss in dollars will exceed one |
million, end msy possibly reach double that |
mount How much Of this is covered by insu-
ance u is impossible to ascertain, rs most 81 the
Phil sdephia offices act the principle Of Keeping
heir misfortunes to themselves and their stock |
bove par
THspE WIN HVrT.-we understand from good au-
horty. that the mission % Mr. Green who dos. L
stcbsd as agent to the island 81 81 Domingo last
hss resulted IN the entire removal of the dfscr
iirsibg duty Of tonnage and mpost 90 per cent) on
merican vessels and cargoes In uayu his mission
ppcafs so 10 have been successful In procuring the