Constitutional Whig

Extract of a letter to the editors of the U. States Gazette, dated Wilmington, (Del.) Monday Aug. 15.

About 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, as I was sitting in my room, in the U. S. Hotel, in this borough, I was startled and astounded by a violent concussion, which rattled the windows of the whole house and rushed off like violent though quick thunder. My impression at the time was, that as a storm was approaching from the south, the lightning had struck somewhere in the vicinity. But I soon learned from the running to and fro of the inhabitants (whereby my knowledge was increased) that it was the Powder establishment of Mr. Garasche of this borough. I rushed upon the roof, and clearly discerned the smoke ascending in a huge volume from the overturned roof of the mill. It is situated to the east of the town; and great numbers of the inhabitants were hastening across the meadows to the conflagration. The building was called the Drying Mill. It was, I understand, of brick, but was completely demolished. The firemen of the town were about repairing to the spot, distant nearly two miles; but the coming on of the storm, obviated the necessity of their operations. The loss of Mr. Garasche will not exceed one thousand dollars. The manner of the ignition of the powder is shrouded in mystery. The proprietor is said to have asserted, that no person had entered the building for two or three days. It is the opinion of many, that a sudden visit of the electric fluid, some flash, acting as the usual courier of the storm, was the cause of the disaster. This, however, is as hypothetical as that it was caused by spontaneous combustion. The shock was felt and heard by all the denizens of Wilmington--and the alacrity with which they rushed out of doors, showed that they feared the worst had not come. The floods of rain that fell, soon prevented the fire from reaching the great magazine.