The Sun.
London, England, 1825-12-08 00:00:00

FORGERY ON CHELSEA HOSPITAL.

Hugh O'Donnell stood indicted for uttering a forged Pension
Certificate, with an intent to cheat and defraud the Commis-
sioners of the Royal hospital, Chelsea.
Mr. MtnnEwEATimt addressed the Jury, and said that
it had. been discovered lately that the person at the bar -had
been led into the commission of the offence by others, there-
fore under those circumstances he was instructed by the Corn-
missioners to produce no evidence in support of the indict-
ment.---The prisoner was immediately acquitted.
Michael Davis, aged 20, was indicted fora burglary in the
house of a•Mr. Bennett, in the parish of St. Luke, Old,street,
and stealing various property -therein. The Jury found the
prisoner guilty.

- lire are happy to say the Calendar is unusually small, both
as to the number of prisoners for trial, and the enormity of the
offences with which the stand charged.

NEW COURT.

After the London Grand Jury bad been sworn,
The•RECORDER briefly addressed them on the importara
duty they were called upon to perform. Ile congratulated
them that the Calendar contained at least one-half of the usual
number of prisoners for trial, nor were any of the cases to his
(the Learned Recorder's) knowledge of an aggravated nature.
But during the performance of the duty reposed on them, there
perhaps might be others of an important description, but what the
nature of them would- be it was impossible for him to an_
ticipate, as they were not before the Court ; and if such
cases should be brought forward, and any difficulty arising in
their minds; on application to the Court, it will be most willing,
as it was their bounden duty, to render them every possible as-
sistance. Gentlemen, there are two points, however, which I
wish to say a few words on—namely, that of Perjury, which is
an offence punishable with great severity if the charge is proved.
It is likely that such a case may be brought before you, which,
therefore, will require your most serious consideration, and as
there are 23 gentlemen sworn to perform such duties, the Court
has no doubt it will be done highly creditable to themselves
and satisfactory to the country. Also, as to the finding of bills,
it is highly requisite, should there be a difference among you,
the majority of 12 must be given. With these observations
these observations the Grand Jury retired.
The COURT then proceeded to try petty cases devoid of all
interest.

SIEGE OF CALLAO.

Advices have been received from Lima to the
beginning of August. The following extract from a private
letter Contains the fullest account of the siege of the Castles of
Callao which has been received in England, and as it also gives
a description of the situation and defences of the fortress, will
be read with interest.—" Callao is situated on a neck of low
land that projects into the sea, and contained before the war
about four thousand inhabitants. The fortifications consist of
three castles, mounting together one hundred and ninety pieces
of heavy ordnance, and command the town, the harbour, and
the whole neck of land across which they are situated. They
are built of heavy atone work, inclining inwards from the base,
and surrounded by deep wide moats, with heavy draw-bridges
across, in the ancient style. The walls are so strong, that no
artillery can penetrate them ; their inclination inwards from
the base causes the balls which strike them horizontally to
glance over; besides, they are protected by trenches thrown
up on the outside, nearly to the muzzles of the guns ; and
which also answer as a breast-work for troops outside.—Six
months ago, when the• Patriots a second time got possession of
Lima, it was expected Rodil would have immediately capitu-
lated and surrendered Callao ; instead of which, lie drove the
old men, women; and children, from the town, laid up stores of
provisions for his troops, and defied his antagonists. Ma force
at that time was 1500 men, but the number is reduced by death
and desertion to about 800. They are blockaded by a squadron
of five or adz vessels, and besieged on land by a Patriot force of
4000. The castles contain immense stores of ammunition and
considerable wealth.—Rodil is a determined man, in desperate.
circumstances. 'He may be reduced by disease and desertion,"
but will never voluntarily surrender. His boats fish in. safety.
under the guns of the castles, and lie has land enough within
their protection to raise 'vegetables for his troops. The besieging
army occupies a small town called Bellavista, on the road to
Lima, about three quarters of a mile from the Castles. This
town is nearly destroyed by the guns of the castles ; there is
scarcely a house remaining habitable, and the soldiers are prin-
cipally sheltered in tents behind the remaining walls. There
has been daily fighting for the last three months, and frequent
skirmishing between the troops. The firing from the castles is
at times tremendous. They certainly return the Patriots ten
shots for one. I visited the Patriot camp a few days ago,
and leaving my horse at Bellavista, proceeded on foot along the
trenches, which project in short angles from the town, about
half a mile towards the castles, and within a few hundred yards
of them. These trenches are dug about three feet deep, and the
loose earth thrown up on the side towards the castles, and
staked ' • so that the trench and breastwork together are about.
as high as the head, and behind them I felt tolerably safe from
the balls which whistled over me. Whilst looking over the ea.
trenchment at the lower end, towards the castles, I observed one
of the fishing boats full of men, pulling towards the blocksdtig
vessels. They were deserting from the castles, which instantly
opened a most tremendous fire upon the boat. The shot dashed
the water about her without appearing to do her any serious da-
mage. I took this opportunity, whilst they were engaged en
the sea side, to go beyond the entrenchments, and view the
castles. They did not appear to have received the least impres-
sion from the heavy firing that had been made on them by the
besiegers. They had a 'very military appearance; the Royal stan-
dard was flying ; the sentinels were marching on the battle-
ments, and every thing appeared to be in perfect order. Ido not
think they can be taken by assault ; the moat is too wide to be
passed without much labour : the land is so low they cannot be
undermined, and they have been bombarded Without any percep_
tible effect. The besieged have made every preparation fbr de-
fence. I was told by officers in the Patriot camp, that the walla
were covered with bomb-shells, ready to be fired and rolled on
any assaulting party. I had not much time to make observe-
dons ; the boat escaped, and the firing against the entrench-
ments recommenced, and even within them it was rather warm
quarters for a disinterested spectator. On returning to Bella-
vista, I observed several officers collected to see the boat escape,
and found among them the Chief Engneer, who is a French-
man, and speaks a little English. It appears Rodil is most ap-
prehensive of disaffection among his troops. He, however, has
one regiment that he enlisted an Arequipa, in which he placed
great confidence. He preserves a most rigid discipline; no
three persons are allowed to converse together privately ; and
any sign of discontent is punished with instant death. At one
time a Colonel spoke to him of their situation, told him the
troops were loyal, and determined to die under his command,
in defence of the castles, but they were desirous to know what
prospects he had of saccess. Itodil immediately had the troops
paraded, informed them that his affairs were desperate, and he
did not wish any to remain with him who were discontented ;
but desired them to use that time to signify their sentiments,
and ordered those who were dissatisfied to ground their arms,
and advance in front. Accordingly about 40 men, including
the Colonel and some officers, marched out of the line, when
he instantly ordered the line to fire on them, and they were all
executed. It was an awful stratagem to discover and rid him-
self of the- disaffected, and to .awe the garrison into future
silence. A few such men as Rodil would ruin the patriot cause
in this country, and literally be worth the Indies to Ferdinand."
—(Liverpool Albion.)

Yesterday Mr. BOLLAND handed round to his
brother Barristers at the London Sessions a letter
which he, as the senior practitioner at the Ses-
sions, had received from the Lord Mayor,
requesting him to notify to the gentlemen of the
KINGSTON, UPPER CANADA, OCT. 11.—Ex- bar, that whenever their avocations brought
tract of a private letter.—" We hale had a very long and ex- them to the Old Bailey - Sessions nouse, the
ceuntry.
tremely .
hot
The poor summer
e,migrants and very
that camel n
out in mostch pararge of Mr. ts of the tables would be open to them all. This hospi-
Robinson from Ireland, suffered severely whilst under canvas table practice prevailed until about 20 years ago,
opposite to this town ; in the course of about six weeks they when it was discontinued ; and the custom of
buried upwards of one hundred. Our neighbours, the Yan- giving personal invitations to the barristers alter-
kees, are dismantling all their fortifications about this place, and
sending all their stores and ammunition to the Seaboard, as nattily on different days, was substituted. This
they term it ; we are doing the same on our side, and deposit- regulation will materially increase the expences
ing the guns, ammunition, &c. in the store and store-yards, _ ,
cat the. Session, which fall upon the purses of his
immediately under Fort Henry, so that every thing wears a pi.
cific appearance." Lordship and the Sheriffs.