The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-10-20
The EARTHQUAKES.

The Earthquakes --*
The following correspondence is published b.
direction of the Secretary of State:
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, !
ss.- LIMA, Peru, Sept. Id, 1868.
10 the Hon. WIliam Fl. ,Sescard Secretary O
State of the United States: e.~ - t-ss7t-.
dated the 22d and 29th of August, respectively
gave you slight account of the terrible earth
quake which, on the 18th ult, laid desolate
large part of Peru, and now again it is my pain
fni duty to inform you that large and the mos,
prolific part of the republic of Ecuador is in
ruins caused by similar shock at half past one
o'clock oa the morning Of the 18th of the same
month. This earthquake seems TO have had its
centre in the province of Imbabura near the
volcano of Ocampo, about sixty miles north Of
the city of Quito. Eight towns, with the ad-
joining haciendas and populations, are said to
have been destroyed, numbering from 40, 900 to
$4,000 inhabitants. The cities of Otavato and
Catacachi, containing respectively about II, 900
and 8 900 inhabitants, and both situated on the
shores of tie Lake Mojanda, are said to have
been swallowed up with their entire populations
and their sites have become part of the lake.
The city of Ibarra, with population of thirteen
thousand, is totally destroyed, only about three
thousand of the inhabitants escaping and the
town of Atunlaque is levelled with the earth,
burying all its inhabitants in its ruins. Nor is
the injury confined to the cities and towns, but
all of the haciendas of the province, the richest
in Ecuador, growing sugar and grain, and pro-
dueing large numbers of cattle and sheep have,
as it were, been swept out of existence Quito
did not suffer in the same ratio in the loss of life,
but its walls and houses are destroyed The
Of fho ioho Ind fba Enul lieb
Charge dAfaires, Mr. Hamilton, with his large
family, were driven to the open square or plaza
in the centre of the city, and he, more fortunate
than the others, is now enjoying the great luxury
of tent, while thousands of the best citizens are
without shelter. To heighten the gloom, des-
pondency and misery of all, the terrible thunder
storms of the tropics seem to have redoubled their
force, and have literally deluged the whole coun-
try. The losses In Imbabura will cause great
suffering in Quito, as nearly all the necessaries
of life for that city were drawn from that pro-
vince. The difficulty of conveying food from
Guayaquil will be very great, as the journey re-
quires twelve days severe travel, with mules
carrying small burdens over rugged and precip-
itous mountains deep gorges and narrow passes.
If relief in some form is not speedily given many
of the sufferers will be compelled to reach the
seashore or perish. Extracts from private letters
and public documents published in the Lima
journals (see enclosures Nos. /, 2 and 81, show
the destruction and destitution to which I have
referred. Indeed, these shocks have almost
ruined the republic Of Ecuador The mentioned
representations have been fully corroborated by
the statements of his Excellency Don Antonio
Flores, Plenipotentiary of Ecuador in Peru In
Peru also, as have heretofore informed you,
proud and rebellious Arequipa is levelled with
the dust. africa swept from the seashore, with
but one solitary house remaining while the dis
trct and city of Mogugna, with its rich villages,
vineyards and haeendas, are but the wreck of
things that were Had the earthquake in Peru
taken place at night time. as it did in Ecuador,
the loss of life would have exceeded 100000
souls. As it was, that loss in Peru is less, but
the loss of property far greater. .'.
Want, hunger and famine in these now un-
happy countries are strding through all classes
in the midst of the unburied dead and general
paralyzation of thought and action seems to per
wade the land This is, no doubt, caused by the
continuous shocks since and the great fear of
other calamties, and. to add to the CONSERVATION
of the weak, fearful and helpless robbers in some
localities are said to be sacking and pilaging
everything within their reach.
take great pride in informing you that Rear
Admiral Thomas Turner, Captain McDougal
commanders James III. Gillis, James 8. Thorn
ton, Austin Pendergast and the other officers
and crew of their commands in navy near the
scenes of danger have done all that noble hearted,
brave soldiers could do to alleviate the suferngs
of all within their reach A".-s -
The generosity of our country in days gone by
has left record that will never be forgotten
Greece, Poland, Hungary and Ireland, with no
greater, if not far less claims for aid charity,
have found that in the United States there were
feeling hearts and open hands for those who
deeply suffer. Will not our generous hearted
countrymen add Peru and Ecuador to their noble
list? Our government, know, can do no more
than has been done by our navy, but most
earnestly urge and entreat that you appeal to the
good men of our country to aid by charity the
suffering people of Peru and Ecuador. Let those
who gave bread to starving Ireland repeat their
generosity, and let the Protestant and Catholic
now Join and vie with each other in showing by
their works that the Christians creed means
good will and charity towards their fellowmen
and let all others who have heart that can feel
for the suferings Of their fellow beings aid by
sending mite from their riches to the hungry,
starving, naked and desolate people of these two
countries Money, clothing, or any other neces-
saries of life would be bread cast upon the
waters but the supplies, to do good must come
quickly. The people are too much terror stricken
to act with vigor, and the governments of Peru
and Ecuador cannot now give the aid the neces-
sites of the people inperatively demand.
I have the honor TO be your obedient servant,
-. ...-.-. ALVIN P. HOVEY.