The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-20
Our Special Correspondence.

SAN FRANCISCO, May l5-i p. NJ.
wrote you by the steamer Carolina, which left
This port on the 18th inst, with l2i passengers.
She carried no treasure. With that letter you will
have received full details of the terrible conaagra
tion which occurred here on the night Of the Sd
inst, and which burned the greater portion Of the
business part of the city. The list of losses for
warded was complete as it was possible to make It,
The mail steamer Northerner, and the steamer
New Orleans, about putting out into the bay
Both go loaded with passengers, and notwithstanding
the confusion consequent upon the recent calamity,
both carry nearly the usual semi monthly ship
nents of treasure. The two take an aggregate OF
about one million and quarter.
The whole city startled about twenty
minutes past eight O'Clock this morning, by low
ruinbling sound, accompanied by the shaking anu
trembling of the buildings, caused by severe
shock OF earthquake Some of the houses
waved back and forth a distance OF one foot For
a minute, the central part OF the city presente
scene of confusion. Thousands run from the build
ngs into the street, hatleSs, and many with but lit
tie clothing. The Plaza was covered with persons
from the surrounding buildings, many ofthem in their
drawers and shirts The boarders at Jones Hotel,
some two or three hundred, were at breakfast, and
80 violent was the shaking of the building, that all
made a simultaneous rush for the street, upsetting
chairs and tables in their fight. A similar scene
witnessed at the Oriental Both buildings are
very large and Of wood Many of the brick houses,
also, were violently shaken, as were the ad0bes.
The shock was felt most sensibly at the Lagoon,
distance of nearly two miles. In some instances,
great was the vibration, that pc in attempting
10 run, found the same difficulty as is usually ex-
perienced on shipboard at sea. Particularly was
this the case with the wharves.
The readers Of the HyaA will scarcely credit me
when | say that counted, yesterday, on the burnt
district, less than six hundred aud eighty-three
buildings, either up and occupied, or in process of
erection. The fire occurred ten days ago, with two
Sundays intervening, and yet the nunb Der of build
apOa | hnVa I'M M . ms q
will say that San Francisco is Frustrated with such
manifestations Of energy
One reason of such prompt rebuilding is found in
the Fact that ground rents have fallen nearly one
hundred per cent since the fire. Lots that before
rented for from 800 to $500, are now in the mar
ket at from sl75 to $500 Rent Of buildings, i'm
mediately after the fire. for business purposes, went
mp from fifty TO one hundred per cent but they will
find their former level, and even 60 below pre-
vious rates.
The Columbia came in from Oregon yesterday,
bring ny dates 10 the 10th inst. There is nothing
of particular interest from the coast above the
Klamath mines, which although supposed TO BE- more
visionary than real, are said TO be yielding salts
factory
Our commercial matters will be Of quite as m ueh
interest to the readers Of the Herud as anything.
Accurate quotations cannot be given, prices are
sti very much unsettled. Nearly every article in
market has advanced. Bleached and brown sheet
ings and cacoes, have gone up % per cent. The
supply is sIall, particularly Of the two former. sale
ratus adyanl ed 4 to lie, very little in market.
Immense quantities If dried apples we're burned.
Before the fire they were drug at lc; since they
have been sold at Is a Zoe; Tobacco advanced
from 80 BE. to - a cOc. Lard and butter
advanced fifty per cent. Fifty thousand pounds
Of the former sold yesterday at lie; nails are
scarce, but few wrought ones Ia the market. All
kinds Of liquors have adyanced Monongahela
whiskey rs per cent. For two or three days after
the Ere, two three hundred per cent advance was
paid for liquors, but supplies we're brought from
on board ships in the barbor, prices fell of.
Large quantities Of jewelry we're either burned
or damaged. In one instance, 10 watches were
destroyed. Nothing remained but the cases that
was Of value. There IS however, sufficient supply
in the market 10 prevent an advance, even though
We were as flush with money a. before the fire.