The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
NEW MEXICAN CORRESPONDENCE.

NEW MEXICAN CORRESPONDENCE.
First Fire In New Mexico-Governor's ProcIama-
tion-New Census-Escape Of PTisoneFs-Confer-
ence with the Indians-Capture OF n head Chief
POlitics-speech OF a Candidate.
SANTA FE, March %, 1851.
To the Editor of the National Era:
-, DRAR SRi I.astpisht wns an sseots+., 90 e"s
Santa Fe A FIRE broke out in the Exchange Hotel
the principal gambling hell of the city, which
was the only house in the city built Of wood. In
few moments after the first discovery of the fire,
the whole building was wrapped in flames; very
little was gotten out Of the building. The billiard
tables, which were very massive, were taken out
over the fat mud roofs Of the adjoining adobe
buildings, which came about to level with the
upper portal of the Exchange. This building,
with all its appurtenances, save the few articles
wrested from the flames, was soon laid in entire
ruins, though fear that, like the tabled Phoenix,
ashes. Indeed, rooms have already been engaged
for the continuance of the ,rade, until new build
ing can be erected upon the old site, which am
informed it is expected will be accomplished in
three months.
Besides the Exchange building there were sew
eral of the adjoining adobes greatly injured, some
entirely ruined. There was strong wind from
the north during the fire, so that the destroying
element swept through all the buildings between
the Exchange and the next street. running east
and west. The jewelry store Of Messrs. Spencer
& Sabine, which Joined the hotel on the north
side, was very greatly damaged, as were their
goods in getting them out of the house. An ex-
csvation was made through the house adjoining
Spencer & Sabine's on the north, TO arrest the
progress of the flames in that direction, but they
did not pass the ewelry store, ss from the course
of the wind, their raysgs vas in the opposit'
direction. But adobe buildings are poor food fol
feeding FIRE, and SO it soon expended 1t efforts
having only succeeded in destroying and greatly
ipiuripp about half dozen houses besides tn
Exchange. There were no fire engines, no line
formed, no water passed. | suppose there were
not more than half dozen buckets full Of water
used on the occasion The fire stopped voluntarily
after II got among the adobes as If 1t had become
disgusted with such dry picking. Fifty thousand
dollars, it is thought will cover the whole loss
No insurance, Of course.
This burning of sdobes is peculiar kind OF
oonhagration. There is none of that wild leapine
sloft Of the flames, as il dancing in revelry ovel
their wanton havoc. You see no pillars Of fire
standing over the tabernacle the evidence Of the
presence either Of placid or incensed Jehovah
but, mahin, it Is glowing like Nebuchadnezzarsfur
mace seven times heated. Above this glowing fur
mace you may promenade in perfect security, until
the mud roof becomes too hot for endurance or the
supporting timbers beneath have become too weak
longer to bear up the burden. There is sub
terranean war beneath you you are walking as
above smothered volcano. The FIRE beneath
wrestles nightly for the mastery and when, like
the shorn Nszarite Of old, IL has grasped and
shaken down the supporting pillars, it dnds its
own grave beneath the ruins
I suppose the Msxicans will set down this
calamity as q special visitation from Heaven, sent
in consequence Of the Americans being in the
country, as 1t is the first incident of the kind that
has ever occurred, ~ | am informed, with very
small exception In the history Of the Territory
For this there are two reasons The first Is, that
such thing as q wooden floor In house was
never known here till Americans came, and indeed,
It Is the fswest number even, of the Americans,
that now have them. Besides this, the Mexicans,
before the arrival Of the Americans, land they
have improved but little sinoej had but little
wooden furniture Of any kind bedstesds, cup
boards chairs, &c, being articles of luxury almost
unknown. SO you can see that there was but the
faintest possibility Of house taking fire, for want
Of something to kindle upon. And In the second
place, they usually keep so little FIRE, even In their
fire. places, that 1t would scarcely set house on
fire, under the most favorable circumstances
Notwithstanding all this, however, It appeared To
me, at first, almost incredible that. this should
have been the fra fre--the 6rst eosfagration In
the Territory Of New MEXICO, the history Of
which Is traceable backwards for hundreds Of
years. This fire has taught us lesson, and that
Is, not to put up any more wood houses here.
Owing to the ong-continued droughts, frame
house becomes like vast box Of finder, and goes |
of like lucifer match.
The Governor has issued his proclamation re-
curing an enumeration Of the inhabitants,
indians excepted, concerning which, have
word to say heresfter) to be taken and returned
10 him by the 18th Of April, In order that an sp-
portionmsnt Of representation may be made for the
Territorial Legislature. Another proclamation
enclose with this letter
The court, which believe was about commenc-
Ing its slttings when wrote you last, did not dis
pose Of much business. One man was tried upon
shargs Of murder, and acquitted, II being clearly
! case Of self-defence. Several others were In
jail upon similar charges, two Of whom, ct least,
would probably have been found guilty, unless
he jury had been corrupted. But none Of the
,ases were tried The prisoners we're again re-
committed TO prison, and few highs AFTER BY dig
ying hole through the back part Of their adobe
ock-up, while the armed sentinel WAS guarding
he ehy side, the whole bsvy Of prisoners lsfs for
parts unknown. Mullen one Of the murdsrers,
las doubtless gone to the States, as his brother
EFF here only two or three days previous 70 his
iecsmpmsnt. presume the thing was eli ar
ranged before he ieft Anderson another muir