Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-08-14

at New York Wednesday morning from
ChagreA via Kingston, bringing the
Caiiiornia mails; between three and
four hundred passsngsss, and one MIL
lion four hundred thousand in the hunds
Of the passenpers.
The Empire City len at Chagres the
stea amships Georgia and Prometheus,
awaiting the arrivalof the steamers 18th
mus and Union, neither Of which had
reached Panama on the morning Of the
23d ult., bot we're hourly expected.
The news from California 10 to July
lst, tho most important item is the great
conAagration at San Francisco, the fol-
lowing details OF which we and in the
papers OF that city -
At about the hour Of IL O'Clock, on
the morning Of June cad, just a. tho
church bells were announcing the hour
for the assemblage Of the various relig.
ious congregations, the citizens were
startled by the fearful alarm Of FIRE penl-
ing ffsm the FIRE bells. At 6rst little
apprehension seemed 10 be felt and Il
appeared but the effort Of a moment 10
extinguish the flames.
But on account Of the perfectly dry
state Of the buildings Of which our city
10 composed, and the high winds which
prevail at this season, the communica-
ton the destructive element was rap
id, and soon became uncomfortable.
The extent Of the burnt district in
eludes thirteen squares, and parts Of
FIVE other squares. situated between
Powell and Sansome, and Broadway
and Clay. Eight Of these squares are
above Kearny, and beyond the limits
Of the conaagration Of the 9TH of May,
as are also those portions on Washing
ton above the Plaza, and on Pacific
street and Broadway, in the neighbor-
hood of the City Hospital. The other
FIVE squares, and portion Of squares be-
!Iw Montgomery street, embraced new
buildings, put up since the last FIRE, and
those FIRE proofs which had borne the
test Of the destructive element and have
passed the present calamity unharmed.
The fire originated in two story
frame house, near the corner Of Powell
and Pacific streets, occupied by Mr.. de
Lessert, as q residence, in which there
we're neither fire place, chimney or stove.
No person was in the house at the time
Of the alarm, except the servant, who
was not aware Of the fire until npprised
by the alarm outside. The only house
adjacent was low wooden one on the
eastern side oft, which is believed TO
have been unoccupied.
1t 10 presumed that the fire was COM
municated to the house of Mr.. de Les
sert from some person in the unoccupied
house adjacent as it is said by the oc-
cupants Of Mr.. de Lesseri's house that
it could not have originated from any
Cause within.
From all tho facts, the conclusion is
irresistable, that the fire 10 the result of
deliberate incendiary ac'. Several
persons were arrested in the course Of
the day, and taken in charge by the
Vigilance Committee, in whose keeping
they await the result OF an investigation.
The most feverish excitement pervaded
he CITY all day and night and still pre-.
walls in our community, on account OF
the alarming insecurity from ERE and
robbery, SO generally felt among us.-
To add to this excitement in the midst
OF the wild scene OF dismay and coniu
fusion, thieves were detected in larcen-
les in all quarters Of the city, and hur-
ried to confinement in the midst Of ex
cited crowds.