The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-08

The steamship Empire City, Captain J. D. Will
son, from Chagres by way Of Jamaica, arrived al
New York on Wednesday morning.
She left Chagres the goth ultimo, at 10 O'Clock,
a. m, and Kingston, jamaica on the 10Th. at 6,
p. m.
By this arrival we have San Francisco papers to
the 9th of October twenty days later than pre-
vious advces direct and eight days later than those
received at New Orleans by the Alabama, and OF
which we have had summary through the me-
dunn Of the telegraph.
The steamship Georgia, Lieutenant Porter, left
Chagres about one hour before the Empire City,
for New York, by the way of Havana. The British
mail steamer Midway, Captain symonds, left for
England at midnight of October 25, with two mil
lions Of treasure. The steamship Cherokee, Cap
tain Wardle, was to leave Chagres October 20.
This is the shortest arrival we have yet had from
California-our San Francisco papers being only
thirty two days old.
We give below an account of the fire at San Fran
cisco, Of which we have had previous notification
by the way of New Orleans.
The FIRE.-Thc San Francisco correspondent
Of the New York Commercial Advertiser, Ito which
we are principally indebted for our summary in
a brief note written on the 18th Of September, the
day of the fire, says:
al have but moment to inform you that San
FTunClBCO Is again 5COurgcd Win Nre. Inc
was given at four O'Clock this morning, and, not
withstandng vigorous efforts made to stop the
progress of the flames, they were of little avail un
til one hundred and thirty buildings were de-
stroyed. The loss exceeds three hundred thou
sand dollars. Exaggerated estimates have been
mnde OF the loss, but ! think my figures will be
found correct. The fre-proof walls Of the Alta
California were an effectual bar in staying the
"Of the Pacific NetDs office not fragment re-
mains. Types, books, presses, paper-all gone.
The building in which the Picayune newspaper
printed is also in ruins. but the materials of
that Office were nearly all saved
'In great haste, j. A. L."
We copy from the Alia California copious de-
tails:
"Our paper had but just gone to press and por
ton of it worked off, when the startling cry Of
Fire, fire. alarmed the wakeful and aroused the
sleeping with suddenness and terror that an
earthquake could not have produced.
"The alarm was given at about four o'clock, and
in few seconds the streets were full OF people and
the engines Of the fire companies were in full
for the scene. The fire occurred in the Philadel-
phia House, on the north side of Jackson street,
three doors from the Washington market. So rap
idly did the flames spread that all efforts to arrest
them seemed for long while totally vain.
"At first it was perfectly calm, but the wind in
creased as rapidly as the flames, whiring the black
masses of smoke, the lurid sheets of fire, and inn
mense quantities of flaming cinders aoft and in all
directions. The conhagration spread on every
side. Most of the buildings in the vicinity were Of
very light frame work and covering, and exceed
ingly combustible. Several buildings on jackson
street were torn down in succession, but the pro-
gress of the flames rapid that this availed
nothing.
"The sClimax,' on the corner of Kearny and
Pacific streets, torn down, which, together
with the skill and energy displayed by those who
battled for the court house, had the effect to save
the building, although it was very much scorched
and the blankets and carpets that covered its front
burned to cinders. The only house saved of
the entire square, bounded by jackson, kearny,
Pacific, and Dupont streets, was the northwest
corner, the Polka
Crossing jackson street, it swept every thing
up to Portsmouth square and to kearny street.
leaving only between the latter and Dupont the
Alta California office, the California, Lafayette
and Excellent restaurants, and two dwelling
houses. Besides the Excellent, which stands at the
corner OF Washington and Dupont, only four
buildings on Dupont were saved between Wash
ington and Pacific streets. The back wooden
buildings belonging to this Office laid in
ashes. The Rendezvous and Bella Union, together
with all the other buildings extending to the walls
oil our office, were burned to the earth. But
thanks be to brick walls and TO God we got
through the ordeal with the loss above mentioned.
Had the Alta building been of wood every house
between it and Dupont street. and perhaps many
beyond, must have gone by the board.
From the Washington arket, the fire crossed
kearny street, and soon the Pacific Netos building
was in flames. The Netrs lost every thing-build-
ings, preAses, materials of all kinds, paper; and
into the rear brick building, which was supposed
hre-prooi, but that, with its entire contents,
destroyed. The concern was owned by nine pro-
prietors, and was valued at $4,000
''With the exception OF the 'Verandab,' corner
Of Washington and Kearny, and unfinished
building corner kearny and Pacific, the whole row
the east side of Kearny, between Washington
and Pacific streets, destroyed. On Washing
ton, below the Verandah, four more buildings
were burned, when the fire was stayed by pulling
down a wooden house The 'Verandah' was saved
almost miraculously. Nearly all its windows were
ON fire, and the flame seemed 10 cling and twist
around il with irresistible violence. Its interior
much damaged. Nothing but it's thick brick walls
savcd 1t from destruction. The Parker house, not
yet covered in, was thought TO be in much dan err
but good management, together with the five brick
stories Of the III Dorado which stood between IL
and the flames, saved il; and, with it, probably the
entire square in which 1t is located
"Ihe entire loss cannot be stated with any degree
of certainty II is far less in proportion 10 the space
burned than any of the previous fires that
have swept over u.s. The buildings were many of
them OF one story and small. Perhaps about one
hundred and twenty five were destroyed. The total
loss has been estimated at amounts varying from
two hundred and fifty thousand TO a million Of dol
lars. IL is opinion that three hundred thousand
dollars would cover the whole loss. This estimate
is based upon the fact that many Of the buildings
were mere shantics, and also from the particular
estimates Of the sufferers themselves. That the
original cost was very much more than they could
justly be estimated at yesterday every one knows.
Not a few incidents occurred during the fire
worthy Of notice. In the midst Of IL man bore
Ian his arms for some distance a keg of gunpowder
90 much ON fire that one Of the hoops was burned
of while IL was in his hands. He held the keg,
however, until those about him advanced and
Punched Out the fire with their fingers
"After the koarny street restaurant was
fire, ia proprictors stuck a card upon u, giving
notice that they had removed, and informing the
public where they might be found.
In two hours after the Ycrandah was in full
blast again, although st. estimated damage
$1,000. This 10 the spirit Of San Francisco and
California.
{" Mr.. James y. Curtis, a member Of the Howard
Hook and Ladder company. while on the roof Of a
building In Jackson street wac, by the bursting Of
the IRE through the roof, enveloped in flames, and
had t~rry time 10 escape before the building fell
in With a tremendous crash. Such vas the inten-
atty u The beat that although but moment elapsed
t-t~ccn the time the lames burst through the roof
and the time Mr.. &. reached the ladder. his face
and hands were badly burned. We understand
u the burns are deep. and that few days
ell suffice for his entire recovery"
Tss ovssLaxD InsiouATIos.-Tho papers con
tan the mo-t d.plorsble accounts Of the condition
81 the overland immigrants. statement from
Cd. M-lto, who " out vith relief expedition
s~.t b. their assistance, ssys
''from Rslng spring 10 his plaoc-Grest Mca-
dos-hsye met with bot few who have any provi-