The New York herald., 1861-12-18
PRICE TWO CENTS.

Steadily pursuing its southwark course towards tho cor
nor o Archdlo and Queen Streets About half an hour
goadriIzling rain began falling, which may Der haps
eanpeh the tops OF wooden houses exposed TO damage
rom the sparks people now ,nder how far ho
n ~" nas extended Furniture is being removed from
buildings us far up as Masse street.
Two o'C1ox.
nus scarcely been abated splendid effort was made
y 'he hre companies TO tho OF L. w. Spratt,
were saved ,ho e M wior ~ Was successful ana win is
iate OF which depended that result Passing to tho
the fire has swept the entire track the
rear OF the Carleston Hotel the end OF the Hayne
stree. range There are no buildings north of Market
street None OF the Hyne street stores are st stand
g sHeep perhaps those of Henry Gerdcs and the
Crossing Market street. the rc has extended down Fast
py 20 cumberland street, and thence to the Mills
ouse taxing IN It's way the Circular church. Institute
Hail. tho Charleston Hotel and all tho buildings upon
King street, from Clifford street to within few doors Of
preaching the rear Of the Cathedral tho Unarians and
the English Lutheran churches. whether il will
cross the area covered by these churches or pass
the Mills House down Meeting street is still uncertain
me fTe department Is making incredible exortions and
e ~ eac y are near exhansod but sprgns
tons OF courage and endurance have rarely been wit
messed -
THREE O'CLOCK
The stecplc OF tho Circular church has Just opped and
fallen with heavy crash
General Ripley, who is moving and fro snperintcnd
ing 'hc movements of the troops with characteristic
energy has ordered several hours ago. that several build
ngs IN the track Of the conagration be blown up Tho
execution Of this order delayed at FIRST has at length
been accomplished Ever and anon, during the past
hour the explosions have rent the air in the lower part
Of the city
The fro has done It's work in thorough STYLE It's nah
Is noo burned oa, and nohingnoo remains TO mark Whee
mas passed o smonide ing piles Of cindes and Gdusn and
The Charleston Hotel is safe and Hayne also The
WIND has swept tho danger of further to the South al
though the re RACES three sides of the Mills House.
Inat hne structure has not caught.
Tho Theatre Ioyds coach factory Opposite the Ex
houses between that point and Queen street have been
burnt.
The fire seems to be making advances towards the Jail
Companies of the Reserves have been ordered
press any possible disturbance among tho prisoners
nnod IN that building.
Tho wind has abated somewhat.
change in tho course Of the wind has bent
somewhat tho course of the fro towards Broad
street The Lutheran and Unitarian churches are now
considered safe. The Cathedral now be In OK
ceeug CANCER The buildings on tho west side of Friend
street, near the corner OF Queen street, arc burning
terceiy ST. Andrews Hall fire. and the noble spre
OF st. Finebar glstens with spcndor Of portentous
port The occupants Of houses Broad street. beyond
QUARTER FAST FIVE O'CLOCK.
As the clock OF st. Michaels tells the quarter the Cahe
dral steepe has falcn with tremendous crash and the
Cathedral is burning furiously, likewise ST. Andrews
Mr. Gadsdens residence TO Mazyck street The residences
Of Mcssrs George Coln, James L. Pettgroe and others
near by, are consumed. The flames have now crossed
sibe to where they will stop short Of tho river There
does not appear to be any imminent danger Of tho fire
again making headway either TO the right 10 the left
OF the furrow 1t has covcn through the city, from Fast
Bay 10 King street. But the head Of the confederation
til fearful TO look upon, and pushing forward With
great strides now.
Great indeed has been tho calamity which has fallen
upon our noble city, but let US, with smiling hope and
courage best ourselves at to amend tho losses
have sustained, and relieve each one, according 70 his
means Of the great suerings which the re must entail
upon its poor victims.
The above report is taken from tho account Of the ra
which appeared in the Charleston Mercury Of this
mornng
MESSAGE OF JEFF. DAVIS TO THE REBEI. CONGRESS.
From tho Richmond Examiner, Dec. 1b
At the meeting Of Congress yesterday, the following
message was received from !hc President
To CONGRESS THE CONFEDERATE STATES
The calamity which has laid in ashes large portion OF
the city Charleston calls for sympathes and seems
to justify the offer of aid in the manner horcaftcr sug
gested. The state Of South Carolina will doubt, de-
src to assist the people Of Charleston in their hour OF
need but as her resources now taxed 10 the utmost
in resisting the invasion Of her soil the prompt intervene
ton Of this government may not be deemed unsuitable TO
tho occasion. The State Of South Carolina in common
with the other States, has made liberal advances
count Of the and this government is unqucstonaby
largely her debtor. With the existing pressure upon her
resources probable that her desire to ad the suffer
ing city Of Charleston may be restrained by other de-
mands upon her available means. Under such crcum-
stances may not exhibit our sympathy with her people,
by offer to place at the control Of the Legislature Of
the state, now in session, portion OF the sum
her The magnitude Of the calamity affords the reason
for making exception in her and promptness Of
action will manifest in the appropriate manner,
the sincerity of regard for the people Of that gallant
state and entire sympathy in all that them
recommend, therefore, that Congress make appro
priaon Of such amount may be deemed sufficient for
the purpose proposed TO be placed at tho control Of tho
authorities Of the State Of South Carolina.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr. KESSER, Of Louisiana, offered the following, which
unanimously Adopted
RESOLUTION TO MAKE AN ADVANCE TO THE STATE
OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ON ACCOUNT OF HER CLAIMS
AGAINST THE CONFEDERATE sTArEs:-
Resolved That the OF 1850 COO be- and hereby,
appropriated ADVANCE account OF any claims Of
the State Of South Carolina upon the Confederate States
and that the be paid TO such person may be
thorzed by the Legislature Of South Carolina to receive
the