Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser

From the Boston Patriot of July 28.

EGYPT
We find under the date of Malta, in the Gibraltar papers, advices from Alexandria to April 28, which we believe is the latest intelligence from Egypt. These accounts repeat that there had been a sort of rebellion in the Upper provinces, headed by a Sheik who called himself a prophet, and pretended to have come from heaven to reform the Mahometan religion. It was announced by the government that he had been taken and beheaded, but this was not fully relied upon. It was said that this rebellion would at any rate retard the expedition of the Pacha of the Morea. It was reported that some English travellers had lost their lives by falling into the hands of the insurgents, but was subsequently ascertained that though they had been several days in the hands of the rebels they were safe, and were on their way to Alexandria. Among them were Mr. Madox and Mr. Hull. 'The plague was raging with unusual violence at Cairo. It was said that the deaths amounted to three hundred and fifty daily. The following account is given of the fire at Cairo.

Malta, May 26. We have already given an account of the destructive fire which took place at Cairo on the 31st March last; and we now publish another from an authentic source, which contains some further details of this dreadful catastrophe. The fire broke out in a large building near the arsenal, when a small quantity of gunpowder blew up, but did not cause any great damage. Kaya Bey and other great men in command went immediately to the spot; but the wind blowing fresh from the north, all their exertions towards arresting its progress proved unsuccessful, when at about sun-set a magazine, containing 560 cantars of gunpowder, caught fire and exploded with a tremendous noise. This explosion caused a terrible shock that was severely felt all over the town: the windows of the French quarter (distant about three miles from the citadel) were broken to pieces. Amongst those who lost their lives were Ali Bey, Inspector General of the Linen Manufactories (he the same who commanded at Rosetta in the last action with the English), and Emin Effendi, Chief of the Engineers. The Kaya Bey was but little hurt. The conflagration now gained ground, and the arsenal as well as the adjoining buildings were seen in flames. Another magazine with 400 cantars of gunpowder was next blown up. On the morning of the 22d it was reported that the great vault under ground, where the main deposit of powder rests, was surrounded with fire so that nobody dared to approach the citadel, and consequently every thing was left in the hands of Providence. This deposit, it is to be observed, amounted to thirty thousand cantars. This circumstance naturally impressed great terror in the minds of the inhabitants, who, thinking only of their personal safety, forgot the danger of the plague, and fled towards Shoobra Boolak, and to the western side of the Nile, not to be exposed to the effect of the explosion if it should take place. Others repaired to the gardens near town. Sig. Rossetti's garden was full of Europeans and Levantines. The Neapolitan, Swedish and Spanish Consuls, with their families, were received in Mr. Salt's garden, as well as the family of the Pacha's physician, his interpreter and others. The most complete disorder reigned among the inhabitants till the evening, when the intelligence was spread that the fire was not near the large deposit, and had almost ceased. Some however did not return to town until the next morning: among these were the families of the Austrian Consul, Dr. Martini &c. In fact, this morning, the conflagration having much diminished, the Kaya Bey returned to the citadel, and after many exertions finally succeeded to stop it entirely there. 'In consequence of some conversation with his Highness at Bene Air, Mr. Salt was persuaded that the fire could not penetrate to the large deposit of gunpowder; in fact it is kept in one of the ancient subterranean caverns cut in the rock on the Mokattam, forty feet deep, and the entrance is defended by three iron doors, of which the inner one is blocked up with earth, for greater precaution. The Pasha during this time remained at Shoobra, and did not come to town, owing no doubt to his being in quarantine, but sent an order for one hundred thousand piastres to be distributed to those who would venture their lives in extinguishing the flames; and by giving from five hundred to a thousand piastres or more to each man, the miners were at last induced to set seriously to work. 'It is impossible to ascertain how the fire originated, but it is supposed to have been occasioned by negligence.