The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-16 00:00:00

THE PETERHOFF.

The English steamer Peterhoff, a prize to the
Vanderbilt, has arrived at this pert. She was sent
to Key West for adjudication, and thence here, as
her cargo would bring more at this port when sold
than at Key West. She is an iron steamer, of
about 1,000 tons burden, brig rigged, and of a
modern build. From the time of her loading in
London Admiral Wilkes has had his eye on her,
and from all we can learn was pretty well assured
that he would capture in her a lawful prize. It ap-
pears that the would-be blockade runner was not
caught in the act of attempting to run it, nor was
she ever on the ground near a blockading fleet ;
but it was known that she had a rebel mail on
board intended for Richmond, and that at one time
a rebel colonel was on board as a passenger, but
just previous to her quitting her last port the bearer
of despatches left, but allowed the mail and de-
spatch bag to remain on board, with instructions to
forward it to its destination. Among her passen-
gers were several chymists with a full stock of
medicines and drugs ; but these very much valued
articles are said to be marked for Matamoros. Upon
the whole the case is a very complicated one, and
many suppose the vessel will be cleared. But yet
it must be that Admiral Wilkes has good grounds
for sending her in as a prize, or he would not have
seized her. For the present communication with
the vesel is interdicted, and but little can be found
in relation to the case.—New York Herald.

THE RETIREMENT OF CAPTAIN ROBERTSON OF
THE 4TH DRAGOON GUARDS.—Reports are current
on good authority, relative to the sale of his commission by
Captain Robertson, which require explanation. If these
are to be relied on, Captain Robertson has been treated with
unusual harshness. He had requested, we are told, and ob-
tained leave of absence from his duty, until the sth of the
present month. He had all hut effected an exchange into
an infantry regiment at the Cape, anxious to pay off the lia-
bilities which oppress him with the sum he we.uld thus
rcceive as the difference in the value of the commissions.
ilufortuna#ely, while just about to complete the exchange
he was arrested for debt and placed in Kilmainham prison.
Then it is stated that the authorities of his regiment waited
upon him in the prison, announced that his leave of
absence had been cancelled, and told him that he should
" either join or sell." Under this pressure Captain Robert-
son had no alternative. He " sent in his papers," sold
his commission, and is no longer an officer in her Majesty's

service.
" FUN'S " SPIRIT COMMISSION. -- Daniel
Chequers, first witness.—ls a clerk in the City.
Know anything of spirits ? Rather. Prefers whisky,
though rum and water, with three lumps of sugar and a
slice of lemon, ain't bad. Not that kind of spirit I Oh I
very good ; another party. Yes ; has heard of mediums.
Wishes they were circulating mediums. Wouldn't
he go in for them ! Not at all ; oh, no I The go-
vernor promised to raise hie screw last Christmas ; didn'
do it, though. Thought him a screw. (The Com-
t
missioner here stopped the witness, as his evidence was be-
coming irrelevant.) Never heard a spirit rap; thought a
spirit deuced lucky if it always had a rap. Knew he hadn't
sometimes, especially just before his money was due. Had
seen a table go round—a whole room, for the matter of that.
(On being asked when this manifestation took place, wit-
ness at last confessed it was after the sixth tumbler o! whisky
and water, when celebrating Alec M'Reekie's birthday.
Upon which he was ordered to retire; whereupon be
became abusive, and wished to know what the Commis-
sioner was going to stand ? Plantagenet Millefleurs—ls in
the Guards. Don't seem to care about spirits. Doesn't
know a medium; why should he? Mediums don't give

dinners and parties; then what's the use of knowing
them ? Thinks Home a humbug; rather a cad than
otherwise. Howitt ? never heard of him ; not in the
army—perhaps in the militia, or a volunteer. Objects
to volunteers on principle : the regulars all do
Supernatural agency I never heard of it. His agents are
Cox and Co., the Craig's-court men. Nothing to do with
them ? Well, can't help it. Objects to being bothere3 any
more; has an appointment at the Rag, and can't stop any
onger, (Here the witness sauntered out.)