Several rebels secreted themselves in the houses, to execute the diabohcal purpose of destroying the city. On tlie Saturday following an opportunity presented itself; for the weatlier being very dry, and the wind blowing fresh, they set fire to the city in several places at the same time, between twelve and one o'clock in the morning. The fire raged witli the utmost fury, and, in lis destructive progress, consumed about 1000 houses, or a fourth part of the whole city. To the v gorous efforts of the officers of the army and navy, and of the soldiers and seamen,

ANGLO-AMERICAN CHURCH. 1061

it is owing, under Providence, that the whole city was not destroyed. We had three churches, of which Trinity Church was the oldest and largest. It was a venerable edifice, had an excellent organ which cost 850/ sterling, and was otherwise ornamented. This church, with the rector's house and the charity school,-- the two latter, large expensive buildings,-- were burned. St. Paul's Church and King's College had shared the same fate, being directly on tlie line of fire, had I not been providentially on the spot, and sent a number of people with water on the roof of each. Our houses are all covered with cedar shingles, which makes fire very dangerous. The church corporation had suffered prodigiously, as was evidently intended. Besides the buildings already mentioned, about 200 houses, which stood on tlie church ground, were consumed ; so that the loss cannot be estimated at less than 25,000/ sterling. This melancholy accident, and the principal scene of war being liere, will occasion the Clergy of this city to be the greatest sufferei*s of any on the continent by the present rebellion.