The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-25

Fire In the CapltoI-Library OF Congress Burnt
A, an early hour yesterday morning citizens
startled by the report that the Capitol was in flames The
fear at first that the entire building would be de-
stroyed, and the clouds Of smoke that issuing
from the marble walls OF the great structure but too
strongly confirmed the general apprehension 1t soon
manifest however, that the fire was confined TO
the large hall which contained the Library OF Congress
This spacious room occupying the entire centre front Of
the building has been destroyed together with almost all
Of its valuable contents considerable portion OF this
loss is entirely rreparable and will be deeply felt by the
country The Library contained much valuable matter,
both manuscript and printed Of il Of high import
for the calculation of the history Of the county
which cannot be replaced Besides this many pictures
Of much value. and large collection OF Medals coins,
and ether anl ue and curious specimens in various de-
paments Of and science have persisted in the flames
The loss OF these and valuable articles national
calamity which will be felt profoundly even than
the destruction Of the noble collection OF books which
had been gathered by The liberal policy OF the
and which may in due lime be replaced.
It's a matter OF congratuation, however, that the
main part Of the building, and especially the halls occu
pied by the two houses Of Congress- uninjured, so
that the legislative business of the country still go
Too much praise cannot be awarded to The fire com.
panies on The ground But for their exerons, the entire
Capitol would now be heap Of ruins The weather
intensely cold; yet they laboed with degree of
zeal and perseverance worthy Of the highest commenda.
ton
The srgin OF the FIRE is entirely unknown. We un.
destaod that the usual precautions observed in the
Library and, far is known in other parts OF the
Capitol, The evening preceding the confagra,on.
We have heard that the appearance OF the library room
when the fire first discovered indicated the work OF
an inccndiary. The matter, however, will doubtless
.oon receive full Official examination, and reliable
opinion upon these points be formed in advance OF
such investigation.
We find in the Washington Telegraph OF last evening
the following details OF this melancholy event. which,
agree in all material respects with the accounts which
we have ourselves received:
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIBRARY on CokeREss--It is
with feelings Of profound regret we record this great
lamity
AT six O'Clock this morning the doors OF the Capitol
were opened by Mr. John w Jones. captain Of the Capi
ol police, At which time be believes there was nothing
eight O'Clock, however approaching the door OF the
Library, he convinced from the smell OF smoke that
something was wrong, and be accordingly forced his
way in by breaking a panel OF the door. The tables
books, shelves &c. in the northeast end Of the room
all FIRE but he believes they could have been
extingnshed At that moment by the OF bali dozen
buckets OF water But the opening OF the door gave vent
10 the flames, and they assembled TO the roof and
spread rapidly throughout the entire room.
The few persons in the building were with difficulty
called 10 render assistance, and when they arrived it
impossible save the main room or its contents The
contents OF the smaller library room, comprising great
variety Of antique works &C. saved in wha,
damaged condition,
A messenger (Mr Baldwin, was Immediately des.
patched for the city fire companies who had but Jus,
returned from the FIRE at the Franklin Hotel but owing
to the mprobablIty OF his report, was not ill after
siderable delay that he could procure any aid from them
The engines finally obtained and carried by the
bremen into the roundo, and upon the porco
from which positions they propelled water to the roof
over the Library, and thus extingu,shed the flames.
The Library occupied that portion OF the bsildinE i'm.
meda,ey within the portico. and 40 isolated
from the Of the building to involve but little
Jury other portions. The adjacent committee rooms,
with their papers, are, however, somewhat damaged
What extent Of loss has been sustained, we are nj
this moment unable to conjecture; but fifty asxty
thousand 10 probably the number OF volumes and many
ofthsm Of worth while the value Of The works
Of ast, the collections OF ancient coins, medals and
other curoses, &c, cannot be approached in any
innate
The marble busts of Jefferson, Lafayette. Taylor Sc
III. portraits OF Washington and j. q. Adams; number
OF old paintings; the files OF the National nellgen
cerr Ac--all are gone.
LArsR-we have heard discriminating persons est
mate the value OF the books that can be replaced a
s25ooo and the damage to the edihee 81 about $4,000