The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-18
From CentSaf and South America.
Burning Of a Cathedral at Sdnti-
ago, Chi'fi.
Two Thousand People Burned to Death.

NEW YORK, Jan. II.
The steamer Ariel, from Aspinwall, brings
S3G5, 900 In treasure.
Revolutionary movements had broken out
in the States of Antoqua, Santondet and Boza-
co, New Grenada, under the auspices Of the
conservative party.
The capital Of Honduras has been removed
to Gracias."
The steamer America, from New York Oct
Both, arrived at Panama Jan 1st She brought
news from Valparaiso that the Cathedral in
Santiago, Chilli, caught fire on the l4th ult.,
when densely crowded with human beings
The doors were soon closed by the press OF
people. The interior of the building was dec
GRATED with light, inflammable ornaments,
which caused the flames to spread rapidly
The roof being Of wood soon fell, burying the
mass of human beings under it. Some nine
teen hundred and fifty dead bodies, mostly
women and children, had been recovered from
the ruins.
The South American mail steamer reached
Panama on the 9TH with S9lS,000 in treasure,
and brought confirmation of the above in
telligenc, and setting the number killed at
1000 The church contained 10000 lights,
from some of which fire was communicated to
the drapery of the gigantic image Of the Vir-
gin and the pasteboard devices. In an instant
sheets of flame rushed along the festoon of
lights to the roof and directly spread TO all
all parts of the building. The people rushed
to the principal door, and it was soon block
ed. Most of the men escaped by the sacristy
and side door. But few minutes elapsed
ere the lights suspended so plentifully from
the roof poured rain of liquid fire on the
people below, and in less than fifteen minutes
over 1000 persons, mostly females, were black
ened corpses.
The new stermer Chill had arrived at Val
paraiso in thirty-on days from Liverpool.
From Ecuador the advices are meagre An
armistice of ten days is in force between Mos
guerra and Flores. Mosquera had released all
his prisoners.
From Fortress Monroe-It Items from Rich
nsoHd Papers.
FORTRESS MoaNoE, Jan. 10.
The steamer New York arrived this after
noon from City Point
Present indications admit of no doubt that
If the exchange of prisoners remains in the
hands of Gen. Butler satisfactory exchange
will shortly be effected.
Richmond papers contain The following:
Wilmington, ". C., Jan. 1lM.-The steamer
Dare was run ashore near Georgetown after
landing her officers near Lockwood's Ferry
She was subsequently chased Off by the enemy
aud broke down. Her cargo is q very valu-
able one, consisting OF military goods. There
has been heavy firing all day and the enemy's
gunboats can be plainly seen at Lockwood's
Ferry.
Orange Court House, "a, Jan. l2ih.--Mos-
by is still harrassing the enemy's rear, but it
is reported that Lee was badly whipped at
Harper's Ferry and met with considerable
loss.
The ice in Richmond is three inches thick.
The Richmond Sentinel of the 18th has the
following.
Charleston, Jan. 14th.-The enemy have
kept up lively Smelling all day. Since Tues
day at s o'clock II shells have been thrown at
the city but no casualties. The enemy have
unmasked two or three more PARROTS al
Gregg. The shelling is still heavy this even
ing.
Jan. 15M,-The borabardment has been
continuous since the last report.
A large number OF transports filed with
troops have been observed moving South. An
increased fleet at Hilton Head is reported.
Orange Court House, Jan. 13th.-The enc
my are transferring one corps from our front
to the Virginia valley.
Russelirille, Tenn, Jda. 12H.-The bridge
over the Holston river is completed and the
one over the Wataga will be completed next
week.
Significant Tcsfin,onidTio JEFF. Daris.
New YORK, Jan. 1G.
At meeting Of the Chamber of Commerce
to-day the following letter was read:
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Jan. 18th.
To Geo. W. Blunt, Esq, Nep York:
My Dear Sir--The charges against the
Navy Department for building slow steamers
is best answered by comparative public trial,
and am authorized by the Secretary to make
arrangements TO run one of our vessels against
the fastest sea-gong side-wheel steamer in the
country, foreign or American. The Adriatic,
Illinois, Fulton, Eagle and some of the Cunard
line are, believe in New York at this time
The Eutaw, one Of the only class of side-wheel
steamers costructed by this Department and
known as a double ender, Is now at the Wash
ington Navy yard and will be sent around to
New York If race can be arranged. Her
tonnage is 9I4 and her draft eight feet and six
inches, and she will run against the same ton
mage aud draft in any weather. If her COM
petitor is much larger the race to take place
in smooth water.
Very respectfully,
(Signedl G.. v. Fox.
The Post has the following:
"a Union refugee arrived in this city re-
Gently from Richmond who asserts that Christ
mas morning, at an early hour, persons passing
by the house OF JEFF. Davis were surprised to
see standing Immediately in front of the door
coffin, with rope significantly laid on the
top Of 1t. These articles were taken away as
soon as they were discovered by the servants,
but they were seen by many persons.
Horrible Outrage aud Murder-Stafes.eaf of
an Escaped Prisoner.
FORTRESS MONROE, Jan. Is.
We learn from Capt Holbrook that on the
evening OF the I'd inst, Miss Emily c. Blunt,