The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-13

d the dissvter at Mendoza 1860 are sufficient to
keep us Thoroughly alarmed.
NO Political or business movements have taken
place; indeed, our minds are filled and our hearts
DOUBLED with the awful events OF the past fortnight
Additional Particulars Of the Terrible Barth.
quake-lleasures of Assistance-The Loss
Of the Waferee and Fredonia-NobIe Com
duct Of the Foreigners subscriptions In Aid
Of the Sufferers.
LIMA, August g. 1858.
Although the recent earthquake was very terrible
In its effects along the coast, and in the Immediately
interior towns Of the South, yet Cuzco and Puno,
the great Indian metropolis Of that region, escaped
unframed. We have received intelligence from
those places and although the shock felt yet no
damage ensued. II is known that the force Of this
earthquake extended as far south Us Talcahuano,
in Chile, and north about one hundred and fifty
miles from this place.
So many theories are discussed concerning the
origin of this catastrophe that the Peruvian phlo-
sophers cannot fix upon definite point from whence
o argue. None Of the numerous volcanoes In the
southern portion Of the republic are active and it
is difficult to locate the source OF movement that
is felt at La Paz, Bolivia, that casts huge wave
over the southern ports OF Chile, together
with those Of Callao and africa, and finally destroys
the town OF Arequipa, more than one hundred miles
from the sea- All the reports given to the HERALD in
my last letter have been cOrroborated The cities Of
Arequipa, africa, Moquegua, Iquique, with the large
towns Of Sauna, Locumba, Nasca lilo, Chala, Mexn-
ZONES, Pisagua with large number Of smaller ones,
together with great many isolated villages, estates
and factories are entirely destroyed-by entirely Is
to be understood that the ruin is complete and those
buildings not demolished by the shock received such
rough handling as to cause their immediate destruc-
ton necessary. The loss Of life and property cannot
now be correctly estimated, nor will 1t until the
exact Investigations and surveys be made by the
parties appointed by the government here for that
purpose. 1t Is roughly conjectured that more than
three hundred million dollars worth Of property
has been destroyed and that than two thousand
persons have persisted from the effects Of the catas
tr0phe. ----------------------- ---- -
The government, as will be seen from the follow
ing details, has done everything possible for the
alienation Of the terrible disaster, and Peruvians
and foreigners have nobly contended in their
charitable efforts. Peru has suffered great calami-
ties In her short existence nation; revolutions
and pestience have carried of many Of her chill
dren; but the fearful memory Of the 18th of August
1858, will turn to blank all the other events in her
history that inspire terror or distress.
The old proverb about the arrival Of msfortunes is
l mentioned in my last correspondence the govern.
ment Immediately on the receipt Of the disastrous
news from the South, commenced loading
the corvette Union with provisions and
clothing for tie relief Of the distressed. This
vessel was the only one available at that moment,
and after having received complete cargo commits
sOners were sent on board with a large sum OF
money to be expended in humane endeavors towards
the alienation of the calamity. corps Of doctors
were embarked, together with a body Of engineers,
destined for Iquique there to repair the machines
for manufacturing water, whose destruction had
left the population OF that city IN terrible straits.
The expedition was under the command Of the
Minister Of the In terror, and the ship sailed on the
morning Of the 22d. About twenty miles dis
tant from Callao 1t was discovered that the vessel
was making water at the rate OF eighteen inches per
minute, and only the invaluable exertions OF the
engineers on board prevented her total loss. She
was obliged to return to Callao, and after having
q large portion Of her cargo, was re-
paired, declared seaworthy, and sailed for Isay on
the oath. This incident naturally caused great con-
and distress.
In the meantime a French man. of-war and the
United States ship Powhatan had left for the scene
OF the calamity laden with all sorts of stores for the
desolate and starving people. The press and public
opinion here aud to the Skies and very justly too
the generous and humane conduct OF the American
Minister in Lima, General Hovey, and Admiral Tur-
ner, In SO promptly taking measures which must re-
suit in great good.
The government is busily engaged In still forward
ing all manner Of assistance TO the South and the
agent Of the English steam Company in Callao has
not only placed two vessels az the disposal Of
Colonel Balta but has reduced the fare one-half
Of the voyage to and from the ruined ports so that
bn hav thara fbpoa Tho boua
fered 80 terribly may voyage without serious incon.
A second French man-of-war, the Megere,
is also loading rapidly, and will Immediately pro-
coed to Area. All OF these vessels, in addition
to clothing provisions and OF life, carry
large sums Of money furnished by the government,
and commissioners named to regulate and distribute
the succors Private individuals are also charterng
ships at their expense to convey stores Of all
kinds to the South, and MIR. Alvarez Calderon rich
merchant here, has already expended over $4,000
In charity Of this kind
The President has issued proclamation calling
on all to come forward in this supreme hour OF the
country's grief and contribute to the general fund
Of charity. He says to the people OF the South that
his first Impulse to fly to their assistance but on
reflection he has determined TO remain In Lima,
and considers that by being here, always working
with the cooperation OF Congress and the
liberal people OF Lima, he can be OF more
real service. Congress, indeed, has proved itself
worthy Of its high mission. II Immediately passed
a law, by O unanimous vote giving the President I'M
limited power in all relating to the succor OF the
South and is now making appropriations and TAX
ing all the steps necessary for speedy alienation
OF the effects OF the catastrophe,
The Archbishop has published a pastoral in which
he stimulates the faithful to prove their devotion to
the sublime precepts of their Master and to sustain
the well merited fame for charity that Peruvans
have always borne Indeed, with all the faults these
people may have in political matters there Is no de-
nylng that In times like these 'that try mems
souls,n they have shown themselves to be liberal
and generous to a degree equaled by few examples
in our own days In those past by. They merit
universal praise.
The activity displayed In Lima by all classes. from
the government to the humblest laborer, IL worthy
xf. .t,.ira axI