Over the ruins of this fire I have wandered, when a boy, in every direction It will be observed, by Mr. Grim's account, that the houses on the west side of Broadway, and which were south of Beaver street, escaped the conflagration: and it was in these, that the English generals lived-what now is No. 1, being headquarters. I must observe, that the houses in Broadway, north of Trinity Church yard, were not burned. The City Tavern was on part of the site of the present City Hotel. Between this and St. Paul's Church the houses were small, and most of them of wood. The last brick houses in the town were next beyond the church. The ruins on the south-east side of the town were converted into dwelling places by using the chimneys and parts of walls which were firm, and adding pieces of spars, with old canvass from the ships, forming hovels-part hut and part tent. This was called "Canvass town" and was the receptacle and resort of the vilest dregs brought by the army and navy of Britain, with the filthiest of those who fled to them for refuge.-Dunlap's History of New York, vol. ii, p. 79.

1778.

About 1 o'clock this Morning, a most dreadful fire broke out, in the Store of Mr. Jones,* Ship Chandler, on Cruger's Wharff, in his City, which notwithstanding the utmost Efforts of the Navy, Army, and Inhabitants, soon consumed all the Buildings on the East, South, and West End of said Wharff, and every House on the South Side of Little Dock Street. The Street being narrow, the Flames soon communicated to the North Side of Little Dock Street, and consumed the whole (five Houses excepted) at the W. End. The fire soon caught the Back Buildings in Dock street, and burnt every House to the East of Mr. Isaac Low's as far as the Old-Slip, and three opposite the Slip. Mr. Low's House, tho' not burnt entirely, is greatly damaged, as well as that next to it on the West. The Loss on this melancholy Occasion is great, there being no less than 64 Dwelling Houses, besides Stores consumed.

Rivington, under date of August 5, 1778, says the fire broke out at the house of Mr. Stewart on Cruger's Dock.

There was two small Vessels burnt, but we hear of no lives being lost.

Col. Coburn and the Officers and Men of the 35th Regiment were the first of the Military that attended the fire, and they, with the other Gentlemen of the Army gave their Assistance during the whole Time.-Gaines' New York Gazette, Aug. 3, 1778.

New York, August 3, 1778.

SEVERAL stores of various sorts being carried on board vessels lying near the wharffs, and also to several houses during the confusion occasioned by the fire. All persons in possession of such stores, are immediately to give notice to the Mayor, of their quality and quantity. Any person concealing such effects, will be punished with the utmost severity.

By Order of Major General JONES.
CHA ROOKE, Aid de Camp.

SUPERINTENDENT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

New York, August 4, 1778.

All owners of scantling, shingles, and other wooden materials, saved out of the fire, and now lying in the streets; are ordered immediately to remove the same, to some distance from the town, or to have them piled away among the ruins, detached from the buildings, it being dangerous to leave them either in the screets, or piled up in yards.

ANDREW ELLIOT, Superintendent General.

New York, August 7, 1778. WHEREAS Mr. John Jones, maliciously and scandalously as serted in Mr. Robertson's Gazette of the 4th inst. That the tremenduous fire which unfortunately happened the morning before, originated in my house. However plausible this fabulous narrative might appear to the impartial public, I can only say that his words relating to that accusation have not the least shadow of truth. And also, have reasons to believe that he degenerated from the principles of any well thinking person, and the more, as he endeavoured to invelope my character in a cloud, and

vindicate his own.-Hard and unreasonable this must appear to a subject unalterably attached to his Majesty, who strained every nerve to live comformably to, and consistent with, the subordinate rules of the British constitution.

JOHN STEWART.

To testify to the veracity of what I assert, I beg leave to refer the Public to the following

New York August 5, 1778.

John Stewart having been confined in the Provost at his own Request, until it could be proved that the Fire was not occasioned by any Neglect of his; it appearing that the Fire did not begin at his House, he is discharged by the General's order. CHARLES ROOKE Aid de Camp.

To the Provost-Martial.

-Rivington's Royal Gazette, Aug. 8, 1778.

New York, August 7, 1778.

No vessel is to lie near any wharff, unless by a permit signed by the Superintendent of the port, and that only to load and unload, and are then to have an anchor astern, to be able to haul off immediately when ordered, or in case of fire.

A strict obedience to this order is necessary for the safety of this city and the shipping. The master of any transport or other vessel that does not observe it, shall be severely punished.

By Order of Major General JONES

CHA. ROOKE, Aid de Camp.

The following is a List of the Number of Houses burnt in the late Fire of the 3d Inst viz.

Col. William Bayard, 6 Houses and Stores that rented for £520 [This worthy gentleman suffered greatly in the Fire of September, 1776.]

Messrs. John and Henry Cruger, 6 Houses.

Mr. Gerardus Duyckinck, 7 Houses.

Mr. Peter Mesier, 2 Dwelling Houses.

Mr. David Provost, 4 Houses, and 2 pulled down.

Capt. Thomas Brown, 4 Houses.

Mr. Varick, 1 House.

Estate of Mr. Andrew Meyer, 1 House.