The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-01 00:00:00

GENERAL SIR H. SMITH.
The following letter has been addressed to the editor of
the Times:—
Sir,—Your admirable review of the battle of Aliwal, and
the just encomiums bestowed on the skill and talent dis-
played by the commander, Sir Henry Smith, leads me to
hope that the following sketch of the military life of that
distinguished individual will not be unacceptable to the
public:—
Sir Henry G. Smith is descended from an ancient family,
that has been settled for the last two centuries at Whittlesea
Llsle of Ely). In 1805 he was, under the auspices of the
ate General Sir William Stewart, appointed to a Second
Lieutensricy in the Rifle Brigade (then the 95th). To
enumsPate his services would be to name almost every battle
that has since been fought by British troops in every quarter
of the globe, for he has had more practical experience in
war, and passed through more fire, perhaps, than any man
living.
His first campaign commenced in South America with the
storming of Monte Video and attack on Buenos Ayres ;
next at the capture of Copenhagen, under Lord Cathcart ;
thence to the Peninsula, where he was present in every
battle fought by the main army (Talavera excepted) from
the beginning to the end of that war. We next find him at
the capture of Washington, under General Ross, and for his
distinguished conduct on that occasion he was honoured
by being made the bearer of the dispatches to England.
His next battle-field was in the capacity of military secre-
tary, in the attack on New Orleans, where the good, the
gallant Pakenham died in his arms. And he returned to
England in time to partake of the glories of his last Euro-
pean battle as Assistant Quartermaster- General of the 6th
Division under Sir John Lambert, on the field of Waterloo.
Sir Henry Smith's career as a staff-officer commenced in
1811 with his appointment as Brigade-Major in the cele-
brated Light Division, in which he was ever conspicuous
alike for his dashing gallantry in the field, his frank warm-
hearted bearing to his brother officers, and his unwearied
attention to the comforts and wants of the soldier.
Those only who have served under a good and an indif-
ferent staff-officer can estimate the immense value of the
former, and Smith was one of the very best, for his heart and
soul were in his duty. His light wiry frame rendered him
insensible to fatigue, and, no matter what battle or march
might have occupied the day or night, or what elementary
war might be raging, Smith was never to be found off his
horse until he saw every man in his brigade housed, if cover
could possibly be had. His devotion to their comforts was
repaid by their affection, which was shown in a manner most
gratifying to him when, in 1827, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, he
was appointed Deputy-Adjutant-General in the West
Indies ; the voluntary attendance of every officer and
soldier, from the Governor downwards, made his embarkation
triumphal. The following copy of a regimental order issued
by the late Sir Amos Norcott on the occasion, speaks the
feelings of all concerned, and does honour alike to the writer
and the object of it
:
"Colonel Norcott feels himself bound by every principle of
public and private duty to express to Lieutenant-Colonel
Smith and the officers and battalion at large his most sincere
and deep regret for the loss of an officer who has served for
22 years with such indefatigable zeal, distinguished bravery
and merit, and now retires from its active duties on promo-
tion and an appointment on the staff in Jamaica, but to re-
sume in that situation the same persevering devotion to his
profession, his King, andcountry.
" The Colonel knows how truly every officer in the bri-
gade participates his feelings and sentiments, and is assured
of the lively and warm wishes of every non-commissioned
officer and soldier for the welfare of one who, with every
at-
tribute of as good and as gallant an officer as ever lived, in-
variably united the most kind and peculiarinterest for the
comfort and happiness of the soldier.
"At the particular request of this officer it affords the
Colonel much pleasure to release from confinement to bar-
racks, and punishments of every description, all soldiers now
under their sentences ; he only hopes, and he is ready to be-
lieve, that they will prove sensible and grateful for Colonel
Smith's kindness, shown up to the very last moment he re-
mains amongst them, in addition to every noble and honour-
able feeling which all soldiers ought to show in the perform-
ance of their duty and conduct on every occasion, by a de-
termination to relinquish every habit tending to injure the
good of the service, their corps, and individual respectability,
comfort, habits, and future welfare.

" A. NORCOTT, Colonel.
" Efalifax, Nova Scotia, June 4, 1827."
To return to the Peninsula, that first of schools for prac •
tical military study, possessingthis advantage, that an officer
of ordinary capacity, by simply obeying orders and steadily
performing his duty, could not fail to arrive at some degree
of eminence in the profession ; while others more highly
gifted had only to make use of their observing and reflective
powers to become masters in the art ; and no one who knew
Harry Smith (his familiar name) in those days, could doubt
for a moment that whenever he acquired the rank, and the
opportunity offered, he would show himself a General worthy
of his illustrious preceptor. The fates themselves seem to
have conspired in urging him on in the path to glory ; for,
though " the hero of a hundred fights," he has been only
once wounded, which proved a singular advantage to him in
more respects than one, for the chiefs of his brigade proving
not so invulnerable, it brought him as commander, succes-
sively, to several of the most brilliant warriors of that age—
Kempt, Barnard, Beckwith, Colburne, &c. ; for while he
was honoured with their friendship, he profited largely by
their experience.

I have already stated that in 1827 he was appointed De-
puty Adjutant-General in the West Indies. In the year fol-
lowing he was transferred in the same rank to the Cape of
Good Hope, and in 1839 appointed Deputy Adjutant-Gene-
ral in India, where he has remained ever since, and was en-
gaged in that rank in 1844 in the battles of Gwalior and Ma-
harajpore. The distinguished services which he rendered at
the head of the Ist division, in the recent battles of Moodkee
and Ferozeshah, will be better understood hereafter, when his
dispatches on those occasions shall have been published. The
battle of Aliwal speaks for itself; as the dispatch of Sir IL
Smith would alone proclaim that he had been trained under
Sir John Moore, and finished under the master-mind of
Wellington.

vETERAN.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.

Lol,:r.nr, Iliatcn ;I.—Wind this day at nooa E.. light breeze, and
tine clear weather.

DEAL, Maacn 30.—Wind S.E. to E.S.E.—Arrcl. Sophia, Madsen,
Rio Janeiro ; George Henry, Greeter, St. Thomas, and sld. for Bremen.
OrriPoßTsmouTri, Mason 30.—Corsair, Sydney, sld. Nov. 11.
LIVERPOOL, MARCH 30.—Wind B.S.W. to S.C.E.—And. Heywood,
Africa; Colonist, Sinnot, Mobile ; Dove, Halifax ; Demetrius, Alex-
andria. Shi. Duke of Lancaster, Bully, Shanghai ; Cosmopolitan,
Griirth, Africa ; Elizabeth, Newby, Africa ; Lady Mona, Perkins,
Rio Janeiro ; Science, Williamson, Demerara,
Cowes, Straws 30. —The Torch, Brown, from London to St.
Michael's, put in here to-day, with larboard-quarter stove, and other
damage, having been in contact on the 28th inst., off Dungeness, with
a brig, name unknown.

LowasTorrE, Ms.xcn 25.—The Jane and Isabella, Langley, from
Sunderland to Londen, was in contact in the Cockle this morning,
with the Antelope, of Hull, and had her stern carried away.
Orr NEw ROMNEY, MAacri 27.—Agnes, Tampico, for Hamburgh.
OPP WEIIfOrTH, Mdacil 30.—Eclipse, Austin, Mauritius.
Pismourn, Malta; 30.—S1d. Edward, St. John's, New Brunswick.
Famitorru, Meactit 29.—Ski. Daniel Webster, Cole, l'aatanzas.
GUERNSEY, MARCH 23.—Arrd. Louisa, Domaillie, Pernambuco.
CORK, MARCH 27.—Wind N.W. —Sid. Lucinda, Scollay, Valparaiso;
Rainbow, Trate, Havannah ; Margaret, Williams, St. Andrew's.
LONGHOYE, MARCH 22.—Sid. Ann Louisa, Kell, St. John's, New
Brunswick.

Dusnxz, Masai 25.—S1d. Susannah, Kidd, Iliramichi. 26th,
Horn, Stnrrock, Davis' Straits; Alexander, Stnrrock, ditto; Prin-
cess Charlotte, Deuchats, ditto ; Advice, Crazumond, ditto. 27th,
Janet, Brown, Miramichi.

STaomNsss, Meacm 25.—S1d. Abram, Couldray, Davis' Straits.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, March 31.
(Before Mr. Commissioner FAxs.)
IX RE WALMILET.

Mr. PARNALL applied in this case for an order on the insolvent,
who is a solicitor in Chancery-lane, under the following circum-
stances :—The insolvent, whose debts amounted to about 23,0001.,
came up in August, 1843, when he made a proposition to pay one
quarter of his yearly earnings, and to give an annual account from
that time. He, however, had not rendered an account until twc
years, and then showed that there had been no profit after
allowing himself 3001. a year for housekeeping expenses. The
assignees, however, on going over the account estimated a profit of
3791. 2s. l id., rejecting an item for costs paid by him, and 1901. on
liability for a client, which it was contended by Mr. Parnell ought not
to be allowed on account. A summons had been obtained for the
attendance of the insolvent, who, however, sent a medical certificate,
statinz he was unable to attend, through illness. Mr. Parnell now
applied for an order for the payment of what was alleged to be due.
The Learned Commissions:a said, he could not make any order after
the final order. It was clear that the insolvent had not acted up to
his proposition, and therefore he (the Learned Commissioner) would
take any steps he legally could, bat not a step beyond. when he saw
how ready the Courts of Queen's Bench, Exchequer, and Common
rleas were to trip up the proceedings of this Court. It had been held
that persons acting under these Acts were liable for any error that
they might commit.
Mr. I'ARNELL urged that, under the 19th section of the last Act,
the Court could make an order, and commit if it was disobeyed.
The COMMISSIONER said that that section applied to rules and
orders made before the final order.
Mr. PARNELL then said the assignees would have to apply for the
final order to be rescinded.
The COMMISSIONER said he was not clear that he had a power to
rescind, he hail never been called on to do so, and therefore should
not decide until the case came before him. He had power to summon
the insolvent, and even to tune a warrant, if he did not attend, and
would do if there was any neglect, when insolvent had no legal
excuse, for the insolvent had by no means kept the terms on which
the final order was granted.
IN RE SIR JOHN 3055.
This bankrupt came up to pass his last examination, and was sup-
ported by Mr. Bnchannan, solicitor.
The examination had been adjourned, as A matter of form, an
assignee not having been appointed until the last meeting; and al-
though he had seen the accounts, and was perfectly satisfied with
them, the Learned Commissioner of opinion that, as a point el
praetice, a short adjournment should take place.
The bankrupt now passed his examination.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.

The Court sat at half-past nine o'clock this morning.
James Thomas and George Wood were placed at the bar, charged
with stealing 18 bottles of wine from Mr. George Sloane.
The evide-ice was somewhat circumstantial, and at the conclusion
of it, when the prisoners were separately asked if they wished to say
anything. they each contradicted the other in the account they gave
of the manner in which they had become possessed of the wine found
with them. They were found Guilty, and sentenced to twelve
months' imprisonment and bard labour.
John Boswell pleaded guilty to stealing gold pins, some sovereigns,
and other property, from Edward Raman, ironmonger.—Sentence
deferred._

James Lahr, labourer, aged 13, was charged with a burglary in the
dwelling-house of Elizabeth Turner, of No. 7, Surrey-place, Kenning-
ton, on the night of the 9th of March. It appeared, from the owl-
dence of the prossentrix, that on the night In question she heard the
window of her drawing-room raised, upon which she got up, and
called the police, who came, got in at the window, and found the pri-
soner standing on the side-board, who said he had come there for a
night's lodging.—(Laughter.)
A police-constable produced a lanthorn, a screw-driver, and
some paste and brown paper, which he had found in the chimney.
The paste and brown paper, he said, were for the purpose of putting
up to a pane of glass, to prevent it making a noise if broken.
The prisoner was defended by Mr. Pante, who contended that
there was no evidence of an intention to steal.
The jury, after having deliberated for some time, found the
prisoner Guilty.
The Coral' sentenced the prisoner to transportation for ten years.
fames Ha-4=od. aged 24, described as a salesman, stood charged
with stealing 3 cash-box, value 55., eight bank-notes, value 651., sixty
sovereigns, and other moneys, the property of James Sykes, his
master.
It appeared by the evidence of the prosecutor, one of the
of St. Paul's, that the prisoner boarded with him.
arge thrse 213th of last month, after having been absent from
town for some time, on his return he found that a cupboard
In his bed-room had been broken open, and a purse, containing
one 201. note, two 101. notes, and five 5/. notes, and 18 sovereigns,
had been abstracted, and also a cash-box, containing 401. in silver
and gold, and a promissory note for 101. The prisoner was arrested
on the 12th of this month. lie expressed his sorrow to the policeman
for what he had done, A considerable portion of the money was
found on his person.

The jury mild they would not trouble his Lordship to stun up, and
returned a verdict of Guilty.
The prisoner was sentenced to be transported for ten years.

THE NAVY.—FLAGPROnEoTioN AND RETIREMENT.
_it is new reported that the first fltty captains on the list, who are
eligible for service as flag-ofikers, Will be Promoted to the rank of
rear-admiral ; the vacancies which this promotion will occasion will
then
ed rank be tilled up f
, and afte
rear-admiralrwards an offer of 255. per diem, with the
retir o, will be made to the
seniors,
them to retire.and cor-
responding advantages to the other captains on the list, to induce
TOWER HAMLETS.—A. requisition is in the course of
IVP'-li signature, and has already received a great maney names. inviting
' 0 l',S Lawrence Heyworth, Esq., shipowner and merchant. at Liverpool,
- , Ir'--.-‘lll4:llld.3rgeatTtteninPes: nextP
general,, q. ,
ere
cat
inotil; antislavery arvtehrey
Tower advocate,ua nit
trco me
NIiWSPAPERS.—It is stated that 150,000 newspapers
re- ,-4/-y- were dLspatdhed from the Government Post-office en *sorrier night,
... (,=,••,,'12, gaeiwolTe eh time SKintulei by Oil worm pooh
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