Note XIV-53 — Chapter XIV · REPUBLIC OF SALVADOR. 1839-1865.

This was the seventh time the capital was destroyed; the previous ones being in 1575, 1593, 1625, 1656, 1798, and 1839; none of these, however, were to be compared in violence with the one of 1854. It had been supposed at first that at least one fourth of the population had been buried under the ruins, but it was subsequently ascertained that the number of killed did not exceed one hundred, and of wounded fifty; among the latter were the bishop, Dueñas, and a daughter of Pres. San Martin. The wells and fountains were filled up or made dry. The cathedral and other churches were greatly damaged; the college of the Asuncion and the university building were ruined. Only a few dwelling-houses remained standing, and all were rendered uninhabitable. Money was raised by subscription for the benefit of the destitute, the government of Guat. sending a donation of $5,000. Pineda de Mont, Nota, in Guat. Recop. Ley., iii. 349-50; Squier's Cent. Am., 304-7, 350; Salv., Gaceta, May 26, 1854; Id., Diario Ofic., Jan. 26, 1875; El Rol, Dec. 1, 1854; Guat., Gaceta, Apr. 28, May 19, 1854; Costa R., Gaceta, June 10, July 29, 1854; Packet Intelligencer, June 17, 1854. The city and about 20 surrounding towns were destroyed March 19, 1873; Pan. Star and Herald, Apr. 8, 1873; El Porvenir, Apr. 6, May 11, 25, 1873; Nic., Gaceta, Apr. 5, 1873.