Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-09

DEsrRucrros OF COLONY IN MExrco.-The

DEsrRUcTIoN or A COLONY IN MExIco.-The
N. o. Picapine of October 81 contains the fol-
lowing:
The Trait d. Union publishes correspondence
giving the particulars Of the destruction Of the
French colony Of Jicatepec, on the 2Sth of Au-
gust. by violent storm On that day, which
was Sunday, at O'Clock in the afternoon, north
er commenced blowing, heavy clouds which hung
| about the horizon began to spread and flew over
the sky with incredible swifness Then the rain
commenced falling with extreme violence The
noflher continued blowing all night till the follow
ing morning, without, however, having anything
alarming about it the rain continuing in the lnean-
time to fall in torrents. Al daybreak the wind
| changed its direction, veering round to the east,
and suddenly commenced blowing with uuparall-
ed impeluosty. In less than half an hour, the
whole village and all the residences in its envi-
rons forming the French colony, were completely
destroyed the houses falling as it were by enchant
ment, with shocking crush
1t is impossible to picture the general desolation
which presented itselfto sight during the frightfu
unclaimed elements. Distracted families, finding
themselves without shelter, saw themselves every
moment threatened to be crushed under falling ma
terias which were sent flying through the air. or
else to be thrown into theTver by the gusts ofthis
terrible hurricane the like ofwbich has never been
seen in these parts. Not only did it not spare
houses but rushed with fury over the country and
the forests, it tore mp everything on its passage
chocolate corn. coffee, sugar cane. &c., in such
manner that the eye few minutes afterwards
could see nothing but immense plains where vir.
gin forest had stood. The largest trees, such as
cedars, oaks and fig trees, Of immense size, were
br5ken and torn branch from branch.
To add to the mseries thus caused, the rain not
having ceased to pour down in torrents since the
previous evening, sudden overflow of its banks
by the river ensued, and rising twenty five feet
above its natural level rose over the quay of Jcal
tepec and entirely inundated the opposite bank and
the greater part of the French dwellings Of the
colony. Houses and the few estates which the
hurricane had spared were thus carried away by
the waters
This was most trying and desolate moment
for all the families of the colony Without shell
ter, and dreading with reason the continuance Of
the inundation some were obliged to construct
RATS TO provide for their safety while others, en-
deavoring to get to neighboring hill found them
selves constrained to traverse inundated low spots
where the water reached to the waist. And there
they were with the fruit of twenty years labor
and perseverance destroyed, annihilated in less
than an hour
This destructive hurricane did not extend be-
yond fifty leagues on the coast and thirty in the
interior.
Intelligence of the disaster was prevented from
being conveyed earlier in consequence of commu-
ncation being intercepted by the fallen trees, Sc,
and at length was only conveyed with great diff
Guilty. machete in hand.
Notwithstanding the details thus given, no cor
rect idea, it is said, can he formed Of the terrible
devastation committed, and Of the misery conse
quent on the visitation.