CHARLESTON, S. C., Sept. 5, 1886.
Having looked over a large part of the city this morning, Gen. BATCHELDER this afternoon telegraphed Gen. Drum that in his opinion the accounts of the destruction had been in the main correct. In some cases they had understated rather than overstated the losses. It is his belief, and he plainly declares it. that fully onethird of the buildings south of the Charleston Hotel and east of Meeting street are so badly damaged that they must be torn down.
The damage done from Calhoun street to the Battery, all across the city, is about as great everywhere as in the small section named by Gen. BATCHELDER. Calhoun street crosses the city from Ashley to the Cooper River, about a mile from the Battery. There are many frame buildings in the area indicated, but fully one-third are brick, and few brick buildings are free from injury requiring the removal of walls. They have settled so badly about windows as to make it impossible to open doors or to close doors that were thrown open when the great shock came. City Assessor Kelly, who has been revising his estimate of the losses, has concluded that to replace the brick houses and stores that are damaged beyond repair must cost not less than $5,000,000. To this loss must be added the value of ruined furniture, household implements, bedding, clothing, and stocks of goods in stores, so that there is great probability that when the people come to foot up their losses closely they will be found to reach $8,000,000 or $10,000,000.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 3, 1886.
The following despatch was received by cable to-day from Queen Victoria:
BALMORAL, Sept. 3, 1886.
To the President of the United States:
I desire to express my profound sympathy with the sufferers by the late earthquakes, and await with anxiety fuller intelligence, which I hope may show the effects to have been less disastrous than reported. THE QUEEN.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 1886. }
To Victoria, Queen and Empress, Balmoral, Scotland:
Your Majesty's expression of sympathy for the sufferers by the earthquake is warmly appreciated and awakens a grateful response in American hearts. GROVER CLEVELAND, President.