Virginia Argus

Extract of a letter from Mr. Crawford Carter, supercargo of the brig Matilda, to his friend in Providence, dated St. Thomas, November 26th; containing some further particulars of the late fire.

"Since I last wrote you from hence, this town has been completely destroyed by a tremendous fire, which commenced at about seven o'clock on the evening of the 22d instant, in a store next to the king's wharf, and is said to have been occasioned by a negro smoking the mosquito-curtains of a bed. At first it was apparently very trifling having been soon discovered, and there was not a breath of air to increase it: but as there were neither engines or fire buckets in the place, the inhabitants could not extinguish it--In about 15 minutes afterwards a fresh breeze came from the eastward, blowing directly in the range of the town, and threatening it with total destruction. The inhabitants being unaccustomed to such scenes, and not knowing of any method to stop it, were in the utmost consternation. The American captains in port went immediately on shore, with their crews, and proposed to the commander that they should go to leeward of the fire, and pull down or blow up several houses, and by that means stop its further progress; but this was objected to, and forbidden--after which the inhabitants declined attempting to check the devouring element, and each one endeavored to preserve his own property, leaving the flames to take their course. They continued to rage with the greatest fury until about five o'clock the next morning, when the wind fortunately veered more to the southward, and by this means a few houses at the west end of the town were preserved. About 1500 houses and stores were burnt, and the damage or loss of goods, &c. is estimated at ten millions of dollars. Vast quantities of money, both gold and silver, were melted, the flames having extended so rapidly as not to allow time or saving it. There were several lives lost; one old gentleman, who had a large quantity of cash, preferred being burnt with it rather than quit his treasure; he accordingly perished. and next morning his bones, were found extended over his trunks. Nearly all our property was preserved, owing to the exertions of our crew. The government have laid an embargo on all vessels, & put in requisition all provisions in the harbor, for the use of the truly wretched inhabitants; some of them, previous to the fire, were living in ease and affluence, but are now obliged to beg a piece of bread for their destitute families. The negroes, and the poorer classes of white inhabitants, are employed in digging among the ruins, and in the water, for the remains of provisions that were burnt, and which they devour without the least cooking. Few, I believe, have witnessed greater scenes of distress and devastation than have been exhibited by the destructive fire. Four fifths of the inhabitants are obliged to sleep under bushes in the mountains, for want of better shelter."