The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-13

Cordilem HILL
II is impossible at this moment 10 assign even an ap
proxmate value TO the property devoured by The flames
10 all ms wealthy reion of the city because addition
70 .ne commodities which the stores in this district ord
Marty contained they had been converted into storage
houses Tor very considerable amounts of goods with
drawn from the Custom Houses before the bombardmen
Their owners conhding in the perfdous promise OF
the Spanish chief that private would be respect
ed but Notwithstanding the difficulties Of approaching
the exact amount 1t may be taken nearly that
5000, 900 ~ '~''-''''' '1''' N''''''' - A'0''
The firing Of this extensive region of the CITY, where
the buildings are of combusble material and closely
crowded together was undoubtedly with the intention OF
having communicate TO and reduce the entire city to
embers TINS is proved by the choice OF locality into
which the incendiary projectes thrown and the
protection which the first appearance of the flames
received by the sustained firing of the feet.
Had enemies not exhibited other evidences of de-
generacy and barbarism even more enominious,
that Of bombardng hospitals and churches-ths alone
would suffice to give idea Of the perfdy and
mobilization which they have displayed
minious and cowardy. Inofensive gToupes Of spects
tors, the greater part Of them women and children,
while witnessing from the tops Of the hills the desolat-
ing ravages of the batteries manned with much mpu-
nifty by the Spaniards were traorously fred upon by
the frgate Resolution, but thanks to Providence with
serious result and she continued dscharging her
batteries at all points Of the city, without distinction
between Victoria square and the railroad station This
notable both account Of its amless cruelty and
the wickedness Of purpose it betrays Though the
guns Of the Resolution harmless to life, II is
probable that they did more or less damage at different
fact that well merits attention. is the small number
OF victims to the destructive elements combined against
utterly defenceess city. Without being able to fix
with certainty the number it appears probably that this
action, as glorious for Chilli as it has been degrad-
ing TO Spain, has not resulted at last accounts in
than two deaths among the people Of the town,
and In not than eight wounded.
Before concluding THIS succnct report to your Excel
lency Of the execrabe and nhuman outrage which
this century has Witnessed is grateful to recall TO
memory that which in the midst Of the devastation Of
rich and prosperous city Of unspeaka-
bic satisfaction the behavior Of every citizen without
distinction Of class condition. Never did a people
manifest mperturable serenity in danger greater
presence Of mind courage greater enthusiasm
harmonizing with the most admirable order.
distinguished part of the glory Of the day belongs
to the volunteer hremen Of Valparaiso and Santiago;
but If they worthy Of special mention for having
saved the city from horrible connagration, scarcely
less every other resident Of this noble city which,
suffering this brutal Spanish crime with unparalleled
sefsacrince has shown herself we'll worthy to be the
first victim in the defence Of the honor Of the Republic
Long live his Excellency. J. RAMON L1RA
To HIS Excellency the Secretary Of the Interior.