Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-12-25
BY TELEGRAPH,
% the 1Ooreester 6pp.
Destructive Fire at Washington.
THE CAPITOL IN FLAMES!
Library Destroyed.

WASHINGTON, Dec. "a.
At early hour this morning, the Library Room
Of the Capital was discoverei to be in flames. The
weather was intensely cold, and water scarce and
before it could be subdued the Library,wth the Doc
above it, completely burnt out, and
fully hree-fourths ofthe library is consumed, inclu
ding the valuable portion of the same. Many
ofthe books works, and can never be re-
placed. No serious damage has been done to any
other part of the Capitol, except by water
The fire was first discovered about sunrise, by
Waterman. and time elapsed before the general
alarm was given The watchmen endea vored for
one two hours, to exngush the flames with
buckets, but unsuccessfully. The engines were de.
layed, having been engaged during the latter part of
the night at another fire, which destroyed Bakers
Hotel, in the of the Inelligencer office, and the
Franklin Inn at the corner of 8ih and ID streets.
The flames at the Capitol would have been sub
dued at much earlier period, but the intense cold
weather made the hose nearly unserviceabe by
freezing.
The fire is supposed 10 have caught from the fues
connecting with The furnaces in the main basement
Of the capitol. All the FIRE companies belonging to
Westinghouse one more from Alexandria, were
on hand rendering efficient services.
President Fillmore, the Mayor, Speaker Boyd,
and numerous members and officers of Congress,
were early on the ground, rendering all the aid in
their power
Many Of the documents and books destroyed, are
Of great value, and no Of money can replace
them The Library presents one backened mass of
ruins, and the dismay exhibited on every countenance
is most painful.
1t is yet too early to ascertain the loss, and in
fact, it cannot be correctly ascerained.
The library Of Jefferson, Of the most celebra-
ted in the country, and which was the most attrac.
ton of the room, shared in the general runnot even
single volume being saved. The smoke was so
dense that persons who rushed in were unable to
save any thing, except four or five portraits of
the Presidents The marble busts, number of
splendid cases, of them containing 1900 bronz
medals, together with all the magnificent works of
art in the cases, consumed. The entire Libra.
ry, contained upwards of $4,000 volumes, the loss
in which is over $l25,000. The books in the adioin.
ing room, numbering over 20 900, including the law
library saved. The roof of the library was
-"OOu Sofciou Will CeulenI, ana CaSen over with
copper. 1t has fallen in. 81 inch wall sepal ates
the library from the rest of the building, and was
the means of staying The progress of the fames.-
The parapet wall has expanded SO as to render its
removal necessary. AT time it was feared that
the dome, well the roofs OF both houses would
catch fire. Water had to be conveyed into the Cap.
lto from basins in the grounds, there being no res
ervolrs in the buildings. An engine was shortly
after introduced into the Rounda and did good SER
vice, the floor of the Rotunda, and all the the main
passage-ways flooded with water, and strewn
with old carpets, bose and rubbish. The roof fell
in at hall past IL. The Senate Chamber, House of
Representatives, and Supreme Court Room remained
undsturbed
Seven engines were engaged in playing upon the
flames. About dozen wacbmen were stationed at
the building, and it is thought, had they attended to
their duty, the flames might have been put out beioe
serious damage was done. The marines stationed
at Washington, were on the spot, by order of the
government The fire is said by some to have been
the work of an incendiary. Nothing is destroyed
but the wing containing the library. The external
appearance Of the building is unchanged save the
blackened windows of the library portico. Among
the few articles saved from the flames, is the orgi-
nal declaration of independence. The whole matter
will undergo a strict investigation
BALTIMORE, Dec. oath.
Late advices from Mexico, state that important
notifications of the tariff had passed the Mexican
Chamber OF Deputies, but its passage by the Senate
is considered doubtful. A report adverse to the
proposition to construct railroad from Acapulco to
the capital, had been adopted by the Senate. Con-
gress had received memorial from Gen. Almonte
recommending the forming of unta Of the principal
officers Of the army and navy for the defence Of the
nation.
AT New Orleans, on the I4th inst, great distress
was felt in the monetary concerns.
PHILADELPHIA Dec. "a.