“Dreadful effects of earthquakes...”

Date

5-13-1812

Newspaper

Alexandria Herald

Page and Column

Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Alexandria, Virginia

Serial Number

1175

Abstract

Account on the effects of the March 26, 1812 earthquake in the Caribbean with a catalog of affected cities and the damage they suffered.

Transcript

Dreadful effects of Earthquakes. Official letter from the general commanding the troops of Coro de Domingo Campo Verde, to his excellency the governor and commander-in-chief of the province of Coro. By the depositions of several individuals, I am informed of the unfortunate event that has visited the city of Barquisimeto, which was, on 26th of March, buried under its ruins in a most dreadful earthquake, which was general through the province; all the villages belonging to this district and the city of Jouyo, with the greater part of the villages belonging thereto, have come and offered submission under the banners of Ferdinand the VII, imploring protection from the vexations of their enemies. Forty men and twenty muskets more have gone this day to Quibor. I am now only waiting for reinforcements from Coro, to take possession of the ruins of Barquisimeto. Your excellency will endeavor to send me a reinforcement of 800 or 1000 men, to enable me to attack Valencia. The Morina troops and those of the regiment La Peyna are those that I want the most; therefore, I hope from your excellency's activity, that they will come soon to join me. The enthusiasm of my troops, and the cowardice manifested by the enemy, assure me of success to all my undertakings; adding to this, the panic and terror with which the inhabitants are struck since the dreadful earthquake which has destroyed the annexed cities, I have no doubt that the army of Coro will eventually conquer the province of Venezuela. I have intimidated the condition of Truxillo, and expect it will capitulate before experiencing the fate of Coro. God preserve your excellency many years-Head-Quarters, Coro, the 29th of March, 1812. (Signed) DOMINGE MONTE VERDE. Memorandum of the cities known to this day, to have been destroyed by the earthquakes from the 26th to the 28th inst. with the greater part of the inhabitants buried. The city Barquisimero, totally destroyed; Arilaqua, sunk; Santa Rosa, do. Caudare, destroyed; Phelipe, still worse; St. Charler, do. Caramaoate, in a bad situation. It is presumed that Caraccas and other places have equally suffered. Any other particulars that may hereafter come to my knowledge, shall be immediately communicated to your excellency. To the preceding cities that have suffered by the Earthquakes, we have already announced the following:--Caraccas, Victoria, Valencia, Porto Cavello, Laguira, New Barcelonia, Maiquetia, Cumana.

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