Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-12-31
DESTRUCTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL

| DESTRUCTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL
LIBRARY BY FIRE.-At an early hour on
Wednesday Ohs day weekly the Waterman
at the Capitol discovered dense volume Of
smoke issuing from the windows Of the Lii
brary, fronting on Pennsylvania avenue
The flames were first seen at the centre ia
BILE and sweeping around the northeast
shelving When the door was broken open
few buckets Of water would have been suf-
ficient TO extingnish the flames, but by the
time it could be procured and assistance ar
rived, the whole of the rows of shelving were
in flames.
The fremen soon reached the ground, but
on accoun, of the scarcity of water, and the
intensity Of the cold, considerable time
elapsed before they could be Of any service,
but they labored with an energy and deter
mina,ion tina, was almost superhuman, and
have now the qualification of seeing the
noble building bu, slightly damaged, COM
paraively speaking, as the result. Of their
labors, with the assistance that was given
them by the citizens.
As soon as President Fillmore heard of
the fire he repaired to the Capitol accompa-
MED by several members of the Cabinet, and
personally superin,ended the exerlions
made to save the building.
The mechanics Of the Navy Yard were
sent for, and soon arrived with their axes,
aud in a short time severed the burning par,
Of the rooc from the dome, and thus pre-
vented the extension of the flames 10 The
roofs and domes Of the Senate AID House
r -
Navy Yard also assisted the firemen and
citizens in conveying water in buckets to
The engine which was placed and worked
in the centre Of the Rolunda. The whole
building was completely flooded with water
The dome Of the Rro,unda was at one
time in great danger, bu, both this and the
two halls Of Congress are uninjured, excep.
by waller.
The roof Of the front, towards the avenue
is all burnt out, and The exterior Of the build
ing on the west, blackened. Thousands of
people from all parts of The District, were
present, and many Senators and members Of
the House labored necessarily with the fire.
men. II has now been ascerlainetl, upon The
investigation Of Mr.. Walter, the architect,
thai me fire originated from one Of the hues
On Thursday the Speaker laid before the
House a communication from The Librarian.
informing him Of The destruction of the Con-
gressi"nal Library, in consequence of which
al least $4,000 works have been DESTROYED,
with q great number Of paintings, engtavings,
medals, SC. "f grea, value. He further Std
ted, that the 10000 books, which were in
the adjoining rooms, have been saved o.
a. r. u, It.,
sident Jefferson, and various valuable works
on The arts, sciences, natural history, SC
and concludes with the expression of hope
that a thorough searching inquiry will be
instituted into the cause Of The disastrous
occurrence and that means may be adopt
ed TO prevent The recurrence of a similar na-
lional calamity.
The Washington Southern Press, speak
ing Of the fire says:
The extent of the loss inflicted by this
disastrous fire i, is impossible to even esli-
mate. Since the act of Omar, no single fire
has wrought such destruction of articles i'm
possible 10 be replaced. The cost Of the
books is estimated at about a quarter Of a
million of dollars the damage to the build
loss is in the destruction Of the collection
Of rare aud valuable works, INNS. and others
works which no expenditure of money
no toll, or energy, can possibly again restore
Such loss NAV we'll be regarded in the
Iigh. of general calamity and the labors
of The student, the researches of the writer
and the verifca,ion Of facts by the politician
will all be retarded and prevented hence(orlh
by this sweeping destruction of the aulhorl.
lies which could alone be found in that col
lection.
The loss is not Ia local bnt general one;
and over this funeral pyre of SO much learn
ing every educated man and the country will
mourn. There are some things which can
not be replaced, nor substitutes found, and
empha,icaly such were the collections
which had accumulated in that Library since
It's foundation.