Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-01
The Fire in the Capitol.

The following particulars in relation to
the burning of the Library at Washington,
we gather from the Boston papers,
The fire was subdued about IL O'clock on
Wednesday. The Library, with the Docu-
ment Room above il. are completely burnt
out, and fully three-fourths Of the Library is
consumed, including the most valuable por-
ton Of the same. 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 some time elapsed be-
lore the general alarm was given. The
Waterman endeavored for one or TWO hours
10 e&''hguish the flames with buckets, but
uhsnccessluily. The engines were delayed,
having oeeh engaged during the latter part
OF inc nlght at another fire, which des,ro we'd
Bakers Hotel, in the rear Of the In,elI;osncer
office and the Franklin Inn, at tn. corner of
9Th and D streets.
| President Fillmore, The Mayor, Speaker
Boyd, and numerous members and officers Of
Congress, were early on the ground, render
ing all the aid in their power.
Many of the DOCUMENTS and books de-
stroyed are Of great value, and no amount Of
money can replace them.
The library of Jefferson, one Of the most
celebrated in The country. and which was
the most prominent attraction Of the room,
shared in the general ruin, not even single
volume being saved.
The smoke was SO dense that persons who
rushed 10 were unable 10 save anything, ex-
cept some four or five portraits Of the Presi-
dents.
The marble busts, number Of spie ndid
cases, lone of them containing 1900 bronzed
medals, together with ell The mag nificenl
works OF art in the cases, were consumed.
The entire library contained upwards OF
10000 volumes, The loss on which is over
Sl25,O00. .H..-.
The books in an adjoining room, number
ing over 10000, including the Law Library,
were saved.
The roof of the Library was wood, COW
cred with cement, and cased over with cop
per. /; has fallen in. A ~ inch wall sepa-
rates the Library from the rest of The build.
ing, and was The means Of staying the Iro-
gress OF the flames. The parapet wall has
expanded, go as to render its removal neces-
sary.
! At one time il was feared that the dome,
as well as he roof Of both houses would
catch fire. Wafer had to be conveyed into
the Capitol from basins in the grounds, there
being no reservoirs in The buildings. An
en- CINE was shortly introduced into The TO
tunda, and did good service. The floor of
the rolunda, aud all the main passage ways
were aAoat with water, aud strewed with old
carpets. hose and rubbish. The roof tell in
al half past eleven.
The Senate Chamber, Representative s'
Hall, and Supreme CourI Room remain un-
disturbed.
About dozen watchmen were stationed
about the buildings, aud it is thought that
had they attended 10 their duties The fumes
might have been put out before serious dam
age was done.
The marines stationed at Washington
. were on the spot by the order Of The Govern
ment.
The fire is said TO have caught through a
defective flue, or gas pipe, or 10 have beer
the work of an incendIary.
Nothing is destroyed hut the wing con-
y tanning lie library. The external appear
/, ance OF the building is unchanged save the
:, backened windows Of the library portco.
u Among the few articles saved from the
i flames. is the original Declaration of Inde
: pendence.
/ 1t is coniec,ured that 40. 900 volumes wer,
o destroyed, rs also the marble busts of Wash
. iDgton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Taylor, an,
v others. The portraits Of several Ex-Presi-
dents, various old paintings, and collections
v of coins, medals, and curIosities were like
wise consumed. The estimated value Of til,
books, which il is thought can be replaced,
is $I25,000. The damage to the Capitol is
$4,000. The walls of the Library aie now
; standing, and have firm appearance.
The origin ofthc fire has been ascertained
beyond doubt. On the removal of The rub
bish, one of The timbers Of an alc0ve enter
ing The wall on the east side of the Library
exactly where the fire was first discovered,
was found 10 extend INFO defective fuc
leading from the committee room where the
wood was kept. This timber was mostly
consumed, while others 10 the other part of
The wall were bur slightly burned. The
chimney connecting with Ihrs f1ue is also as
certained 10 have been on fire, and is consd-
cred satisfactory proof Of the cause.