The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-04
Total Destruction by Earthquake OF the
City or Mendoza, IN tine Argentine re-
pssblic-Neariy $4,000 Lives Lo-t-Re.
ported Destruction Of Two Oiher Popa-
Ious Cities-srlghIfaI Scenes, Sc, SC.

OUR VALPARAISO CORRESPONDENCE
VALPARAISO April 8, 1861
With feelings Of 6eep regret have to announce TO you
the utter obstruction Of the city OF aendoza the Ar
gentine Republic, by earthquake, the evening Of
the Goth Of March last At that date, at hat past eight
P. NJ slight but prolonged vibration Of the earth
felt in this city and sartsgo simultaneously. Most OF
the churches densey flied it beng the cose
OF Lent and alarm and confusion created but
60 accidents occurred and tranquility ~as soon
restored.
On Sunday, the 24'h, however, general gloom
cast this city by the announcement by telegraph
from tie capital that Bsnigno Bruno rider had
arrived from Mcnooza that morning without d mail
bringing the distressing thl there remained but
ntap Of ruins point the spot where few days before
had stood thriving and populous city Of Is 0cC souls
Bruno stated that he arrived a. Mendcza tue mora
ing Of the Goth; that at half past egh, brer but
excessively violent shock Of earthquake listing but
or eigh. seconcs destroyed every puidirg public and
private in the city. and that the namoer who
were enabled to escape was very limited. The streets
being narrow tho buildings high and the Inhabitants
totally unused 70 such phenomena, paraS zed
with terror, and neglected 10 seek refuge in
the open courts Of their dwellings until too late
The Postmaster buried beneath the RUNS of the Posi-
Office, the Governor was missing, and when asked why
he brought certificate that the mails were los. The
messenger replied, rhsre left to write It,
nor materials 10 write with y
The aspect presented by the city after the first shock
was terrific. Hoarse subicrranean thundcrs deafened
the air. animals Of I'll kinds rushed franticay through
tho open spaces bowling the earth opened and vomted
forth oots o. water while to the of horror
flames uIgt from the ruins aud Consumed nearly the
the business portion OF The city, with is dead us
and its wCunosd.
ON the 2Sth number Of letters were received here
nd at AGO v M m
siding in Mendoza, but The hope unit, then entertained
that the earlier accounts we're exaggerated, gave
to Tic dreadful certaaty that tue calamity had
yet been painted in coiors sussently vivid rhe earth
stl csnrued TO remhe, tho ew walls that had resste
tho nTst shock by one fell, until now vestge of
building remains The mountain roads are in most
dangerous condition, not only account Of the huge
Of rock that have already fallen and oostructod
the road bn because tho vibration OF the Garth Is still
hurting them down from the heights aoovc into the
valleys.
fastened the spot, not to assist the needy or
aid in rescung the wounded from lingering death, but
TO seek for plumber among the smoking ruins, and to
snatch the little saved from the wretchcd SURVIVORS
One Gentleman writing from thence, after describing
these horrors, says:t believe that in few days we
shall have other law here than that Of the polguardo
The prison destroyed; OF hundred inmates
ninety-rwo pershco. The remaining eight. who were
already hardened vairs. formed themselves band
OF TIcet ootcrs, ard had gene. supposed, tho
mountain pisses to intercept and rob the parties sent
from Chne or the relief Ell the au1erers ono woman
was found robbed and murdered by tho roadside She
recognized one who was her way 10 Mendoza
TO &C. her family They too had al per shed 90 tho Goth
In The jesuit church there wns presching that night.
The services hid ust concluded and tho congregation
was abort dispcTsing when the sh ok came The Tow
who had tat he'd the plaza saved but the walls and
roof Of tho building fell inward with crash, and priest
and peniteLl tcscthcr Nerc hurried into nifty.
The ltcst a1viees from Mendoza represent the suffer.
sg 70 he ezeme, here beng pel,hqr 9od, c?hng no.
shelter for the d sSors tyii Thing being burici lie
meath 'he ruins. III - a'sc state thai san Tuaa AMI
San Luis, two Other pcpuIus cities q tho Csn
federation, have shared like tate the san Juan
river having after The N ck lor It's bed and sven.
over tho town, utterly "a sroyng what the earthqGak
had Spered This news not having boon tuy confirmed
do Tot, however, vouch for IL correctness
As soon as this disastrous lcnd rcd beyond
question, the government and private individuals We'd
with smother N energetic Efforts ~ sent ,mmc1i1te
relief 10 their suffering brethren without waiting for
the completion Ct the work The cCth purity Of pns
scians and chcis left for the OF tbs dascr bca-
inc modicDes, food anu clothing, and accompanied by q
IN I'll body cf troops.
The gloom and terror spread throughout the republi,
atcd upon an emnenjly volcanic region. have con
slant eviderce Of the insecurity OF Of exist
efcc. SEPARATED but by chain OF mountains FRO the
scene Of destruction, and taught BY sad experiences toe
frhful and irresistible force of the unhgrpldei e,rh
storm, retire each night with feeling OF terrible Ia
security This ceast bus been freg cny visited In past
years by earthquakes Ch'an has ncen twice destroyed
concepCi while Valparaiso, Santiago ami Copiap7
have ed severely No ,mouut ~ human foresight
20 r.ecauon avas ,ganat the mysterious v!slter, who
conta at dawn 81 nocnday ut midnight, ana IN feS
seconds levels ground the proudest monunons Of
human skll.