THE LATE ELOODS IN THE WEST INDIES.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 171, 17 February 1868, Page 3

THE LATE ELOODS IN THE WEST INDIES.

The following is a copy of a despatch received at the Colonial Oißcce from the President of Tortola, dated 31st October, brought by the Douro :

•' Sir Arthur Eumbold to the Duke of

Buckingham and Chandos. * Tortola, Oct. 31,1867. ''My Lord Duke,—lt is my most painful duty to acquaint your Grace that a terrific hurricane burst over these islands ypsterday. Tho storm listed from eleven a.m. to three p.m., Out the greatest force was from twelve to two. In that brief space of time two-thirds of the miserable tenements of the town were blown down ; the gaol is destroyed; the church, the hospital, pier, schoolhouse, Wesleyan chape), and poorhouse, are also destroyed, and my own dwellings unroofed, and rendered uninhabitable.

2. " The loss of life cannot as yet be correctly ascertained. 1 have, however, already been officially informed (f above twelve deaths in the town, two at Peter's Island, two at Westend, while I hear that a quantity of people are killed in other parts of the country, and scarcely a hut or habitation is left standing. 3. " All was bright and verdant; the withering blast had passed over it, and not a fruit or other tree remains. The works of the few remaining estates are all totally destroyed, 4. " It is impossible for any pen to convey an accurate account of the appalling misery. There is not £SO in the public chest, and the chief tax, rhe house-tax of the year, is just falling due, and, of course, cannot be collected. If every any calamity appealed to public sympathy, I ain confident this will awaken it, and I trust your Grace will be ab'e to point out some hope of reUef, as we cannot levy any taxes from this impoverished community.

" 5. I shall send down to St Thomas as soon a.° I can get a boat to go, but all the sloops and canoes belonging to the place are either destroyed or very much damaged, and I do not know how soon I may be able to do so, and I trust from charity and othor sources we may be able to obtain some flour and cornmeal. Meanwhile starvaiion, or very like it, appears to be impending, for nearly all the small store of flour in the town-was damaged by the tremendous sea which swept in, and carried away houses and individuals. '• 6. I forgot to add that the doctor's is destroyed, the clergyman's very much damaged, and I and my family aie compelled to take refuge in the public offices, where the paupers and police are also sheltered. " I have, &c. "' Arthur "Rumbold. '' P.S. The deaths in Road-town amount to twenty-two —one-twentieth ot the population."