by John Marshall

“ About forty houses have been consumed. It is but right to observe that the Capitan Bey took an active part in extinguishing the flames, and seemed to vie with our officers in braving the fury of the element. ”

“ Finding they could make little progress in arresting the fury of the flames by the engines, they turned to and tore down, by main force, a range of houses which lay betwixt the custom-house and the direction which the fire had taken; and thus, by sacrificing eight or ten houses, they saved the extensive towns of Tophana, Galata, and Pera, perhaps the Turkish navy, and the thousands of merchant ships of all nations that are lying along the Galata and Pera wharfs ”