The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-06

i kAEdhq uAAs Al valparaiso.
We publish below account OF the recent earthquake
al Valparaiso as we have received it in extra sheet
issued from the Office Of the Mercury OF that city, of the
2Sd OF April
rHr xAKrHouAxr-On the second of April, at six
three quarters, m, Valparaiso visited by another
of those fearful caamlles SO frequent IN volcanic eoun
tries.
This the most severe shock which has been fell since
the great earthquake OF the year 1922. when valparaiso
almost totally destroyed, has created panic hdfuy
| equalled by any former event
severe trembling OF the earth OF fifteen or twenty
seconds DURATION succeeded by less violent shocks, which
lasted about two minutes and appeared as 50 mssy hous
TO those whose lives and property were endangered did IN
that short space OF time destroy several dwellings, and
rendered upwards of a hundred untenabe and had II
continued but few seconds longer there is no donb tha
equally disastrous effects would have been produced as
by the earthquake OF 1892, Notwithstanding that oil ale
years houses have been built especially those situated IN
the port much more substantially than formerly and on
principles ahording much greater promise OF security
The course OF the vibration north and south, but
It's greatest violence not experienced any great
extent OF country In Coquimbo, Copiapo. and other
places TO the northward 1t was but slightly felt Our
accounts from the south equally satisfactory and the
fears that were entertained for Conception (Which city
suffered severely in 1880 have proved to be entirely
gToundess II distinctly felt al sea al the distance
OF forty miles from the coast and it's effects board the
vessels described being very similar TO the grating
morse produced by striking on reef OF rocks hand
lead was hove from the American frlgate Rantan, and
was with great difficulty hauled in--the CONFUSION at
the bottom OF the sea having caused It to sink three feet
Try and oppressive. but the thermometer did indicate
any considerable increase OF the temperature OF the at
mosphere.
The motion of the earth was observed to be less vo-
lent parts than in others not hundred yards dis
tantso much that old and decayed houses stood the
shock better than others newly built and those houses N
the structure OF which the most timber had been employed
remained with little injury.
During the eventful fifteen seconds the houses rocked
to and fro, as so many vessels at sea ,.,. =,
Not breath of air was perceptbe during the whole OF
the day. and sigher shocks continued at $40 minutes
656 minutes, SIS minutes, 10 SIS minutes and have con-
nued since, OF less strength and duration
and this OF writing-on the 7th instant, at H.
p ma short but violent shock has driven the panic
stricken inhabitants into the streets.
damage having been chiefly confined the cracking OF
party walls, plaster work, &C., but without affecting
the stability OIL buildings themselves The only houses
reported as being IN dangerous state are those oc
cnpied BY Messrs Gibbs Co., and Thompson, Watson
The custom house buildings have suffered compare
lively little. Some slightly constructed outward
ments have been demolished and part of the roof carried
along with them The subsequent rain, however the
4th Instant is supposed to have damaged number OF
packages of goods the extent of which has not, how
ever, yet been ascertaned few houses situated the
hill known as the Main Top. sailors resort came
ever, and the Almendra the damage caused has been
the ground being less firm Upwards OF two
hundred houses are rendered uninhabiable and nearly
as many families have been consequently reduced the
necessity of bivouacking in the streets, others In
the door ways Of their ruinous dwellings
/
la Victoria entirely occupied by tents and wooden
houses. Various parts OF the hills surrounding the
town also studded with them afiording temporary
refuge those whose habatons had been destroyed
whom terror prevented from remaining in their houses
considerable number of persons have for some days
taken up their quarters on boarihe OF all
nations having promptly and generously Offered such ac-
as their vessels afforded to those who need
| ed it
Much damage has been done in stores where liquids,
glass, earhenwae. &C., kept We happy TO say
not single life has been lost, hear OF
we're fracture On the 4th instant at II o'clock p m, it
began rain heavily, and continued TO do SO for nearly
twelve hours which cooled the atmosphere considerably
but caused much additional damage in houses whose
roofs and walls had been already injured by the earth
quake and compelled those who had taken refuge in the
Plaza and living tents, leave and seek shelter in
the theatre or with their friends in the port The loss Is
nfa ef damage done build
The principal public buildings which have suffered are
the custom house. the MERGED and Marz churches the
Quartet of the national guard the hospital and the church
The scarcity Of houses SO much felt before the earth
quake by the fast increasing population OF our city, has
i Commissioners have been appointed to examine the
edfcee, and condemn those which in dangerous
condition II is to be hoped that the constructors of
houses will be in future more careful in the choice of
icrias and study the mode best adapted for building in
country subject these visilaons, also that they
will too much TO the received idea that these
violent shocks only once In every twenty or thirty
years
We were pleased to the activity manifested both in
age done Almost within an hour after the catastrophe
the workmen busy clearing the roofs Of broken
tiles and the streets OF rubbish and think that the
Chlenos form honorable exception TO the Incidence
with which the Spanish race is generally approached.
Business has only been interrupted for one day, Qhe
custom house having been closed by order of the in
iendent) but has naturally suffered much by this
renee
The town of Casa Blanca. situated about thirty miles
from this on the Santiago road also suffered severely, and
great number OF houses thrown down by the vio
Hence OF the shock.
The damage done in Santiago is similar to that at Val
pamiso with the exception that as there are greater
number OF public buildings in the capital, the pecunary
loss must be severe.
The principal public buildings or less damaged
are the mint, handsome building in part occupied as the
residence of the President the cathedral the churches,
the San Francisco OF the Compana the old palace COM
pleely ruined, and portion OF the buildings occupied
government Offices
The village OF Renca, situated in the suburbs oil San
ago, has been partially destroyed and singular phe.
nomenon was observed about three leagues from that
city where the ground opened IN several places and con-
siderable quantities OF hot water thrown up.
Let hope that years may elapse ere we are again
visited BY such misfortune and thank God for the
paratively mild consequences of event which might
have proved disastrous.
~ A. GREEN, Aucsaonser.
IrHEEsE BRANDY, FISH, Ac, AT AUCTIoN.-On Saturday.
" instant shall SELL Of whom
my Of 9th and 10 O'Clock
| ~ boxss Of prime
4 IS casks brandy q. J. Dopuy, fourth proof)
/ ~ barrels hsh, in good order.