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Story
July 5, 1856
The North Carolinian
Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
On April 10, 1845, a great fire destroyed much of Pittsburgh. Secretary of State James Buchanan sent $500 and a sympathetic letter to Mayor W. J. Howard on April 14, urging resilience and invoking Providence for recovery.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
BUCHANAN AND PITTSBURG.—On the 10th of April, 1845, a large portion of Pittsburg was laid in ashes by the great fire. There was no telegraph to Pittsburg in those days, and the news of our calamity could only reach Washington by the 14th of April. Mr. Buchanan was then Secretary of State. On that day the following document left Washington for Pittsburg, addressed by Mr. Buchanan to Wm. J. Howard, then mayor of our city. Comment is unnecessary, even to those maligners who would represent Mr. Buchanan as cold and selfish:
$500. WASHINGTON, April 14, 1845.
Cashier of the Bank of Metropolis: Pay to the order of W. J. Howard, mayor of the city of Pittsburg, for the use of the sufferers by the late fire, five hundred dollars.
DEAR SIR: Will you please to accept and apply the above towards the relief of the sufferers in the late dreadful calamity. My feelings of sympathy and compassion have never been so strongly excited upon any similar occasion. But let the people be of good cheer, and exert their accustomed energy, and, under the blessings of Providence, all will yet be well, and Pittsburg will arise more glorious than ever from its ashes.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
W. J. HOWARD, Esq.
$500. WASHINGTON, April 14, 1845.
Cashier of the Bank of Metropolis: Pay to the order of W. J. Howard, mayor of the city of Pittsburg, for the use of the sufferers by the late fire, five hundred dollars.
DEAR SIR: Will you please to accept and apply the above towards the relief of the sufferers in the late dreadful calamity. My feelings of sympathy and compassion have never been so strongly excited upon any similar occasion. But let the people be of good cheer, and exert their accustomed energy, and, under the blessings of Providence, all will yet be well, and Pittsburg will arise more glorious than ever from its ashes.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
W. J. HOWARD, Esq.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Biography
Heroic Act
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
Triumph
Providence Divine
What keywords are associated?
Pittsburg Fire
James Buchanan
Relief Donation
Secretary Of State
Providence Blessings
What entities or persons were involved?
James Buchanan
Wm. J. Howard
Where did it happen?
Pittsburg, Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
James Buchanan
Wm. J. Howard
Location
Pittsburg, Washington
Event Date
April 10, 1845; April 14, 1845
Story Details
A great fire destroys much of Pittsburg on April 10, 1845. News reaches Washington by April 14. Secretary Buchanan sends $500 draft and letter expressing deep sympathy, encouraging energy and faith in Providence for rebuilding greater than before.