The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-17 00:00:00

DEsTRUCTION OF LAGOS.

Yesterday we published a detailed account of the cap-
Awe and destruction of the town of the slave king
Kosoko. The following is the official report of Commo-
dore Bruce on that transaction, together with a list of
the killed and wounded, published in the London Gazette
of this evening

Penelope, off Lagos, Jan. 2,1852.
Sir,—l have the honour to report. for the information
of the Lords Commissioners of the Admirely, that their
Lordships' instructions of the 14th October, and the
wishes of her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, as far as respects Lagos, have been most faith-
fully fulfilled by the expulsion of the slavt-dealing (thief,
Yosoko, and his people, the utter destruction of his town,
and the establishment of the friendly chief Akitoye,
with his followers. in the seat of power at Lagos.
By my letter No. 216, of 1851, their Lordships are
aware that Kosoko very recently rejected the proffered
friendship of England, and that he opposed with fire
and sword the approach of a flag of truce proceeding to
his seat of government with Mr. Consul Beecroft, who
offered to negotiate and to advise with him, and who
was merely attended by an escort of armed boats, scarcely
or problematically sufficient for his personal safety
among savages.

I ttierefor"d determined to send a strong and well or-
ganized force, to punish this relractory chief, and
having, through the untiring energy and exertions of
Mr. Beecroft, procured the attendance of Akitoye, and
nearly five hundred of his followers near the ►cene of
action, ready to take advantage of a clear sweep when
we should make it, I concerted measures with Captain
Lewis Jones, of the SampE on, and Captain Henry Lyster,
of this ship, who both were volunteers on the occasion,
and entrusted the detail and execution of the service to
Captai❑ Jones, seconded by Captain Lyster, and their
Lordships will see, from the accompanying reports, the
complete success with which the enterprise has been
crowned.

I am at a loss to do justice to the chivalrous bearing
and devoted bravery of these two officers. Captain
Jones, who, commanding the expedition, was no less
conspicuous for his gallantry and firmness than for his
judgment and energy; and Captain Lyater, who, finding
himself, by unavottlablo circumstances, exposed in the
Tenzer to be summarily destroyed by the enemy's guns,
made a noble rush into the midst of armed men on shore,
and with his undaunted followers spiked the obnoxious
guns, and turned the fortun es of the day at that point.
It is to be borne in mind thut our people could expect
no quarter, nor did they get any.
I should come short of my duty did I not bring before
Lieut,hi4), is
the notice of their Lordships the urdent anal devoted
gallantry exhibited during this very severe affair by
officers and teen. The responsible part which Captain
Lyater tided coat him a acv.-4 e wound, happily not dan-
t.:vlgerous.
of Mr. Beeei 1' €..
rtrs• Commander Hilly ar of this ship, who charged
--fAsvard Marshall m
sevrely but not dangerously wounded.
id F. ll. Rich, each in. com-
mand.
~....__ of the paddle-box bout, exhibited heroism and
affray ended. Lie
...mesa IIeVLI- cur as. ,e 1 -
murt.EWr William son, R.M.A.,,
latent John Corbett, in com-
mand•
0 t s iron,:boats, with rockets, withihis
own hands spiked
mending one ot the cutters and had fi re severe wounds before the
wafoteurnddeodi::: the guns,, reccivicog a shot in his arm
when on shore, detendet wasdangerously
Fletcher, midshipman corn-
two balls in his forehead.
tra ,appointed to guard the boats
theca to the last, and fell with
With the other division Lieut.
Sauroarez, of the Sampaw:3l.eeeived a dangerous wound
while encouraging his men;
4,-
man of that ship, got his deat'xil.d Mr. Richards, midship-
eQuunauti fug the Bloodhound, sad
wealnd. The conduct of I
Lieutenant Pates,