The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-24


cbora, or Peruvian bark, and forests of the India
rubber tree were also met with; and as to sarsapa-
ra root it is found in the greatest abundance, and
In regard TO the discovery of gold, shall hare
more to say in future letter, as an expeditisR
leaves the city in few days with view to explore
some rivers in which it has been found in sma.
to that OF large pea. Portions Of the department.
however SO resemble the gold regions Of California;
and beds Of quartz abound in every direction. and
fine gold may be seen in them that shall not be at
oil surprised if The gold is found in the grestost
abundance. The laws in this country are very fa-
yorable for mining operations. The discovercr Il
mine here becomes its owner on denouncing IL (as
the term is used here) to the government matter
who the owners Of the lands may be, they can
have no claim. In future letter shall have more
to say upon this subject.
The Belgian minister. Baron de Behr. formerly,
believe, minister at Washington) and Martial Oio-
quet, Esq, agent Of the Santo-T0mas Belgian Com
pany, left this city, it is believed, route for She
United States, on the 2sth ult. These gentlemea
have failed to arrange any new treaty with this
government for the further continuance of the set
Element. The Belgian Company have entirely
failed in the fulflment Of their engagements with
this government and their charter has been, in con
sequence, declared null and void This, as matter
of course has given great offence to certain Euro
pean capitalists who had embarked in the speoular
ton, and threats have been made that men and
money would be sought for in the United States in
order to retain forcble possession of the territory
in question. For the honor of the American name
] hope no American will engage in any such affair,
and that they will be cautious in receiving the one
Official correspondence has taken place between this
government and the Baron de Behr, which shall
endeavor to send you by next conveyance, and
which will prove to every inquiring person that the
course OF Guatemala in the premises Is that of honor
and justice.
The American ship Brewster is daily expected at
the port of San Jose. She will be the first Americas
vessel visiting the new port, and hope will prove
rR
CITY OF GUATEMALA, May 1, 1864.
The City of San Salvador Destroyed By an
EarthquaIe-More than One Thousand Ltvss
Lost-Four Hundred Dead Bodies Recovered
The Seat of Government Remoredto Cyutepeqs4
Subscriptions in Guatemala to Relieve the Suf.
frrs-Greaf Fire in Ysalco-7Hree Hundred
Houses Destroyed, &c.
The city of San Salvador is no mora heap Of
ruins alone remains Of what was few days ago
beautiful city and its late inhabitants, numbering
from eighteen to twenty thousand, are rendered
homeless, houseless and destitute, by one of the
most terrible earthquakes that has occurred in
Central America since the conquest. The particu
lars now give you may be relied upon as perfectly
correct in every respect.
On Wednesday, the 18th Of April, during the
height of the religious ceremonies attendant upon
the services of Holy Week. the first slight shock Of
series Of earthquakes was felt in the city OF Sen
Salvador. During the night of Wednesday and
the day and night Of Thursday other shocks were
felt, but as such shocks have always been more or
less frequent in San Salvador little or no attention
was paid them. On good Friday, however, they in.
creased in violence and at shorter intervals and 20
continued throughout that day. Saturday and Easter
Sundays and on applying the ear to the floors Of the
houses, or to the ground in the streets continuous
low rlmbling noise could be distinctly heard. Dur
ing Sunday general alarm and great deal of ex-
element prevailed in the city, and many dreading
catastrophe, began to leave At twenty minutes
past nine o'clock on Easter Sunday night the 18th of
April. most severe shock (Which lasted tour &c.
conds) took place. and 80 frightened the terrified IN
napltap!s that the greater part instantly fled INTO
Vie open country outside the city. and most forum
ate # was for them, for had they remained
twelve thousand victims, so sudden and 80 over.
whelming was the final shock. Many, however, sup
posng that the rorst had passed, remained in their
did SO now survive to tell the tale. The fnai
shock occurred at eighteen minutes past ten
o'clock at night-it lasted ten seconds overthrow
everything, and left the city an incongru-
GUS mass Of ruins. The loss Of life is various
ly estimated at from one Thousand to one Thousand
five hundred persons. An official report will, pre-.
sumo, be published in few days; if so, shall for
ward It toyou; The last shock, by which the city
was destroyed is described as being most awful
the earth appeared to be lifted up repeatedly, and
suddenly failing again like the waves Of tie sea-
producing symptoms exactly resembling sea sick
Mexicans, almost adjoining the city, no other
town in the vicinity suffered, though some oil
the shocks were slightly felt. A few houses
and one or two lives were lost in the town
trophe, the Bishop Of the docess, and many Of the
principal inhabitants retired to the town of Sugapan
go. Since then, however, the President and Minis
ter of the State have selected Cojutepeque as the
tam IF fho Al.
town of San Vicente for the ecclesiastical.
On Easter Monday morning the authorities
and the citizens generally commenced returning
to the ruins (as the shocks had become less
victims took place. Up to Friday the 2lst our latest
date, four hundred bodies had been recovered. but
il will be utterly impossible to recover many more,
as the masses Of fallen buildings to be removed
The first rmors ofthe catastrophe reached this city
on Saturday afternoon the ed; it was almost too
terrible to be believed but on Sunday the rumors
assumed more tangible shape, as letters had been
received and the greatest CONSERVATION prevailed
On Wednesday, the 26th, however, the courier ar.
rived with the mails, and all doubt was set at rest
the rumors were confirmed, and it became publicly
known that the city of San Salvador had been blot
ted out Of existence by the same kind of calamity
that had before destroyed the former capital oil
Guatemala, whilst yet dependency of the Spanish
crown. The President and Ministers soon after as-
sembed in council, and in the afternoon the follow
ing decree was issued
PALACE OF THE GOVERNMENT.
GUATEMALA, April &c, 1854. d
:. The President having received official informa.
on OF the unfortunate catastrophe in San Salvador
or the night Of the 10th of the present month and
which has caused such profound grief in the minds
OF the Guatemalans, with the object Of contributing
as quickly as possible to the relief of the sufferers
who have lost their all in the destruction of their
capital, DEGREES -
That from the FUNDS Of the public treasury there
snail be placed at the disposition OF his Exceency ths
PRESIDENT OF San Salvador the of ave housand dol
lars to be distributed among the sufferers in tbs snne
his Excelency deems most proper.
2 That there shall be opened throughout ths reuulLio
voluntary subscription, organizing at the capital Of
each department commission composed of the Corrs-
Jidor Parish Priest and Administrator of Rents who
pious object.
g. That in this capital there shall be formed commis
SION composed OF the following persons-The Provision
al vicar General Of the Archbishop the Corredor the
department Don Juan Matthew, Councillor Of State Dom
Luis Batres Councillor of State Don Jose Maria Urruels
Councillor OF State: Don Jose de Coloma Don Juan Fran