The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-26 00:00:00

THE HAIVEE AT PERNAU.

PERNAU, Sept. 15.—0 n the afternoon of the 11th inst.
fonr Bitglish war steamers came in and anchored in the
outer roadstead. One of them (the Archer, Capt. Heath-
cote) put out a boat and rowed into the harbour, where
a crowd of people were assembled at the pierhea I. In
the boat were two °facers, the interpreter, and nine
sailors, all well armed. On their arrival Capt. Heath-
clte demanded to see the burgomaster, and put several
questions to him ; for instance—if there were troops in
the town, whether any of the buildings were Govern-
ment property, &c. ; and on receiving a reply in the
negatiVe; notified his intention of landing the next day
with Cspt. Omrranney, senior officer of the squadron,,
4.e convince therneelves of- the truth of the statement.
Yn t as they were on the point of rowii g off, four Bish-
, sirs belonging, to the detachment which tea, jnst quitted
the tern were seen galloping • over the brilge. On
Capt. Heathcate expressing his surprise at this, the bur-
gomaster explained that the troops had all quitted, and
these must have been left behind by chance.
The following morning ae English. boat appeared
again, this time with a flag of truce, but remained at the
mouth of the river, making signs and waving the white
flag. 'The commander of the pilots put off in his boat
to explain that they were not permitted to receive a flag
,if truce. The British officer told him he had a letter to
deliver personally to the burgomaster, requiring him to
come out in a boat with a flog of truce and receive it,
which the latter did.. The letter was from Captain Om-
manney, itiorroing him that he had arrived off the town
with a sufficient force to reduce it to a heap of retina,
but that he would spare it on the followime con:litinne
—l. The garrison to lay down their arms and surren-
der themselves as prisoners of war. 2. All the pro-
perty in Pernau belonging to the government to be
liven up. 3. Ali 'the shipping in the river to be
triven up. The burgomaster, accompaniedAq some of
the most respectable inhabitants, must cores on board
the Archer to talk over the affair ; after which the com-
modore would come on shore to superintend the exe-
cution ; and lastly, that the slightest attempt at want
of faith or a hostile :attack would inevitably cause the
destruction of the town. One single.hopr was allowed
to make up their minds.
The Burgomaster Tilling, accompanied by the Codn-e
cillor of Commerce, M. Schmidt, accordingly 'went off
to the boat with the flag of truce, and thel.ce to the'
Archer,.where they had an interview with Captain Orn-
manney,
.who received them very politely, and took
frPm them their written answer, that there were no
troops in the p!aee, that there was no property,belong-
ing to the Crdwn, and that the ships lay seven wersts
(five miles) up the. rivere where, however,' there were
troope,:gul ;that if. the English wanted' the-ships, they
must go.uP themselves and take them. Lastly, they
'prayed the commodbre to spare the town. The burgo-
master succeeded in his endeavours, . and Captain am
manney let him gn ashore in safety.
The English squadron consisted of the Hawke, CO,
Captain Ommanney ; Archer, 15, Captain Heathcote ;
Oar.flict 8, C vain Oliamberlain ; and cruiz,r, 17,
Captain Douglas.- t'"