Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-21
LATEST NEWS
BY LAST EVENINGS MAILS.
HE LATE FIRE IN SAN FRANCISCO.

The San Francisco papers, (says the N. Y. Com
mercial0 abundantIy confirm the Geographic reports
the disastrous fire which has, for the third time, lain the
city OF San Francisco in ashes.
The fire commenced aboSl o'clock on the night o
the 81 OF May, in two story frame building on the
tel. ltspread first to the South, then Eastward. anc
then to the North, destroying nearly the entire BUSH
ness parts of the city The chief and assistant engi-
neers OF the fire department were unfortunately absen
from the city ON pleasure trip to Sacramento.
1t happened, also, that the OLD Mayor and Alder
men had that very evening retired from office, and teil
successors not having been sworn IN there was una.
voidaby much confusion respecting the adoption Of
meas ures made necessary for the fearful conHagraon.
Thos Butler King, the Collector of the port was
absent from the city [up at the mines] at the time oil
stroyed with many valuable papers. The Sub
Treasury" sae and is daily guarded by armed force
of United States Marines. There about four mil
lions OF dollars in the vault.
the Naval officer appointed six gentlemen to superin-
tend the operations for its protection Every point
we'll guarded, and the building was not abandoned I'M
til all hope OF saving it was out OF the question.
The building used for assaying U. s. ingots, &C., by
Moffatt & Humbert, was totally consumed-and it will
be six weeks before they will be able to resume BUSH
ness. Consequently, gold of California coinage is now
selling by the ounce at Sl6 The result is in every way
disastrous to the city. The Treasury is empty, and
San Francisco is virtually bankrupt, We have pr-
wherein to confine the criminals, who wild in
our midst.
Dewitt & Harrison in lieu of water, used $4,000 gal
Ions Of vinegar in preserving their warehouse. 1t
entirely saved
1t supposed that ten or twelve lives have been lost
by this calamity.
Every banknghouse is PROSTATE in the dust, except
ing that Of Argent & Co., and the little brick build
ing Of James King.
Starkey, Brothers & Co. had just completed and
moved into new and spacious iron warehouse, and
had given an opening ball a lew evenings previous
They had two thousand tons of goods in their ware
houses, all OF which were consumed, mostly belonging
to English houses. o
The bsst part of the city is destroyed--nearIy all tn
handsome stores have persisted.
Already quite large number of cheap shanties have
have recommended the building Of fine brick ediices /;
but the streets are mostly ruined the panks OF which
they are made, being burned and rendered almost I'M
passable In amostevery instance the covering to the
running along the middle of the streets The damage
probably, amounts to 100000. All Monday and part
of Tuesday the fire was slowly consuming them.
The beautiful brick building of Delmonico's Is in
ruins, and while the workmen were engaged in tearing
down the totterng walls preparatory to rebuilding they
fell down. buyng half dozen persons, and killing out.
right two Frenchmen, who were laborng on the pre-
misses.
Mr.. Well, banker of the house of Well G. Co. was
dreadfuy burned, and for time his life was In extreme
jeopardy He is now convalescent, and as able
to leave his bed will resume business Their treasure,
with that Of Page, Bacon & Co. and B. Davidson agent
OF the kothchds and Others has been deposited with
Messrs. F. Argent & Co. whose present deposits ex-
coed the sum OF two millions of dollars.
VI the newspaper offices, that OF the Alta California
was the only one that escaped the confagration. The
Herald and Pacific News have recommended publica-
ton.
Multitudes carried their goods papers, books &C., to
Bdlemans, Nells, and other brick buildings, suppo
sing them to be perfectly safe and thus lost every thing
Many merchants who were rich last week, have told
nae they had not saved dollar; that all they possessed
IN the world was simply the clothes they stood in; and
these instances ISOiated thew
where apparent, and felt and yet these same men
are again resolutely striving for the mastery.
The most terrible scene was enacted in the iron bull
ding of Tahe& McCohl, at the corner of Montgo-
merry and Sacramento streets. Into this five persons
had gone after the flames had reached it, in order to
save some valuable articles. They closed all the iron
window shutters and DOORS that draft Of air might
enter When they fourd the house getting hot to
stay longer they attempted get out but horrible to
relate, the windows and doors had expanded SO with
heat, that all their efforts were unable to open them
All within persisted in the flames. Their calcined
bones could be seen on Monday morning, smoudering
amid the ruins beneath.
We find in more than one of the California journals
very strong lntmatons that these destructive fires
the work OF band ofincendiarles The Sacramento
Placer Times gives credence to report that band of
conviets who had escaped from Sydney, had reached
arrival and had threatened vengeance by firing San
francisco, Stockton and Sacramento City. Other pa
pers favor the idea OF incendiarsn.
The Alta California gives the following astonishing
instance OF the recuperave energy of San Francisco
From Monday, 5th nst when the fire ceased, up to
the present time, May H. interval of ten days. 357
buildings have been commenced OF which the major
part are finished and occupied. This is exclusive OF the
many that are going up In other parts OF the city
touched by the fire. including them the total number
OF houses just completed or in the of erection
throughout the city, will not fall short Of $50! Of
course, from the rapidly with which they have been
put up most OF them are trame but STILL every n-
stance in which brick building burnt, either the
walls still standing will be used in rebuilding, or where
they are unfit, new brick fre.proot building will be
erected in the place ofthe one destroyed
EARTHQUAKE IN SAN FRANCISCO
On the morning of the 18th ult., severe shock of
an earthquake felt in San Francisco, which lasted
nearly minute. The buildings and wharves of the
city shook tremendously, and in a few seconds the
streets were filled with people, seeking safety in the
open air. We do not learn that any damage was done
to persons or property
FIRE AT STOCKTON.
Hardly had the smoke cleared up from the ruins of
San Francisco, intelligence was received of the de-
structon Ola large portion OF the city of Stockholm
This event occurred on the night of the 18th May and
the loss Is estimated at a million OF dollars.
The fire originated in new and beautiful house lust
opened under the name OF the Merchants Hotel for
mery known as the Branch, and, beyond doubt, was
the work OF incendiary. 1t is supposed that some
mscreant intended by these diabolica means, to sue
coed in releasing the prisoners confined in the county
gao; but the purpose failed in its accomplishment, as
the winds proved unpropiious and turned the of
the devastating element upon more precious and costly
fuel TO satisfy its long sumbering rage.
Election of U. S. Senator.
HARTFORD, June 10.
The Senate to-day chose Roger S. Baldwin, whig,
U. S. Senator, by vote ofl2 10 9.
The House will vote on Wednesday next.
Election Returns.
G.p Troa