532 EARTHQUAKES IN CHILE. 



between half-past one of the 26th., when the great convulsion occurred, and eight o'clock of the 

 morning of the 27th, no less than one hundred and twenty-seven earthquakes were numbered 

 without embracing the multitude of noises when no tremors were felt. This condition of things 

 continued at longer and longer intervals up to the 1st of June. He also states that there was a 

 rain of ordinary character about twenty days before the earthquake ; and " we think the year 

 will be a very fine one, for the fields are already so -green, and the pasturage has grown so 

 rapidly, that the cattle are already eating it a fact which somewhat consoles us in the midst of 

 loss and other troubles." 



INTENDENCIA OF ATACAMA. 



COPIAPO, June 2, 1851. 



SENOR MINISTRO : I write to make known to you that on the 26th of May last, at a quarter 

 past 1 P. M. an earthquake was felt at this city, which, in the two minutes of its continuance, 

 threatened to overwhelm the entire population. For forty years the people of Copiapo have 

 not experienced so prolonged and terrifying a shock. 



Although the phenomenon is repeated so frequently, the earthquake of the 26th threw the 

 whole city into consternation ; and as the shocks continued to the 1st instant at intervals of a 

 few minutes, or at most quarters of an hour, the alarm has been still more augmented. 



The damages caused are of some importance, although most of the houses are of wood, and 

 all have been built to resist earthquakes. Six or eight have fallen, and many others are much 

 injured. The little village of San Antonio, where there is a mine of the same name, is completely 

 ruined: that of Juan Godoi, at the foot of the mines at Chanarcillo, has suffered considerably; 

 and the houses belonging to the mines which have not fallen, threaten to do so. 



As soon as the strength of the first disturbance ceased, a commission of two architects was 

 named, who examined for dangerous buildings. The- number which have been ordered to be 

 pulled down in conformity with the report of this commission is twenty-five, without counting 

 a great many whose repairs have been ordered. 



The Matriz, Merced, and San Francisco churches have not suffered. Neither have the other 

 public buildings the theatre, City Hall, and jail. At the hospital and cemetery only some 

 of the internal walls have fallen. The principal one of these edifices received no injury what- 

 ever. The earthquake was felt in the departments of Vallenar and Freirina at the same hour ; 

 but its damages were not so great, as you may judge from the original notes of the governors, 

 which I have the honor to transmit. 



I beg you will make known this deplorable event to his Excellency. 



God preserve you. 



JOSE B. QUEZADA. 



To the MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR. 



INTENDENCIA OF COQUIMBO. 



SERENA, June 3, 1851. 



SENOR MINISTRO: On the 26th of May last, at seventeen minutes past one in the afternoon, an 

 earthquake was felt here which was so severe and prolonged that all the population were 

 forced to rush into the streets and plazas. Its duration was about a minute and a half, and its 

 direction was from north to south. No damage was occasioned here nor in any other department 

 of the province. But such has not been the case in those of Atacama, especially in Freirina, 

 where, according to notices received, there has been considerable injury, of which I advise your 

 Excellency (U. S.) 



God preserve you. 



JUAN MELGAKEJO. 



To the MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR. 



