Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-01-01
Bp Urlc9rapb.
THE CAPITOL ON FIRE,
WAsuINGroS, Dec. "a.

The Capitol is on fire. The Congress
lonal Library is nearly destroyed, and
the flames are spreading. There is no
water to extinguish the fire. Full par
ticulars soon.
10 40 A. NJ.
The fire at the Capitol is extending
Water is very scarce. Weather intense
ly cold. The whole community is out.
The firemen are nearly frozen. The
whole of the Libary and contents Of the
room is in ashes, and, from present ap-
pearances, most of the building will be
destroyed.
The paintings in the Rotunda have
been saved.
Bakers hotel. near the Intclligencer
office, was wholly destroyed by fire last
night.
THIRD DEsPATcH-l2 o'clock. The
fire in the Capitol is subdued. The Lii
brary, with the Document Room above
it, are completely burnt out, and fully
three-iourths of the library is consumed,
including the most valuable portion of
the same. Many of the books are rare
works, and can never be replaced. No
serious damage has been done 10 any
other part of the Capitol, except by wa
ter.
The fire was first discovered about
sunrise, by watchman, and some time
elapsed before the general alarm was
given. The watchman endeavorcd for
one or two hours to extinguish the
flames with buckets, but unsuccesslully.
The engines were delayed having been
engaged during the latter part Of the
night at another fire, which destroyed
Bakers Hotel, in the rear OF the hteth.
eenrer Office and the Franklin Inn, at
the corner of Sth and ID streets.
The flames at the Capitol would have
been subdued at a much earlier period, ,
but the cold weather made the hose
nearly unserviceable by freezing.
The fire is supposed to have caught
from the fues connecting with the fur
naces in the main basement of the cari-
tol.
President Fillmore, the Mayor. Spea'
kcr 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 de-
stroyed are of great value, and no
amount of money can replace them.
The Library presents one bIackenod
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
ascertaincd.
BsoroN, Dec. %.
The Bristol brig Scotia, from Bonalre
for Boston, struck on the rocks at Bos-
ton light, last night, during the snow
storm, and filed with water.
The crew were saved, but the vessel
will probably prove total lose, together
with her cargo, consisting of 1900 bbls
salt.
BosToN, Dec. 23d.
The boiler by which the Deer Island
aims. house is heated, exploded last
night killing the engineer, and doing
considerable damage.
FURTHER Particulars The President,
members of the Cabinet, and other dis
tinguished men were on the ground
nearly the whole time Of the coniiaGra-
ton, and many of them rendered et'i-
cient aid by their cxcrtions. The lib
rary of Jeilcl son, one OF the most ceIc-
brated in the country, and which was
the most prominent attraction OF the
room. shared in the general ruin. not
even single volume bein! saved. The
smoke was so dense that persons who
rushed in were unable TO save anything
except some four or five portraits OF the
Presidents. The marble busts, a num-
Der of splendid cases, one OF them con-
tainiug 1900 bronze medals, together
with all the magnificent works Of art
in the cases were consumed.
The entire Congressional Library,
was destroyed, but the Law Library in
an adjoining room, with large number
of ether books, was saved. The roof
of the library. which was of wood, COW
cred with cement, and cased over with
copper. has fallen in.-An engine was
introduced into the Rotunda which did
rood service. The floor of the Rotunda
aud all the main passage ways were
flooded with water, end strcwed with
old carpets, hose and rubbish.
The roof fell in nt hall:past eleven
O'Clock. The Senate chamber. Repre-.
sentative chamber and Supreme court
room remain undisturbcd. All the valu-
able papers were removed from the Sen
ate chamber, but have since been re-
placed. Seven engines were engaged
in playing upon the flames.
About dozen watchman were sta.
,loaed about the buildings. and It ia
though, ,ha, had they attended 10 their