The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-29 00:00:00

ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE,

Sir JAMES GRAHAM, on the part of Sir Robert Peel, gave notice
that the Right Hon. Baronet would to-morrow move that the House
at its rising do adjourn to Monday next, Friday being a holiday
usually observed, and no public business being down for that day.
Mr. F. FRENCH said that Friday would be the last day for
receiving petitions against certain private Bills. An adjournment,
therefore, would be inconvenient to those Members who might have
such petitions to present.
Sir J. GRAHAM said the matter should be considered to-morrow.
The House then adjourned at Two o'clock.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM
LA PLATA.
(From the Brazil Courier, Dec. 13.)
DESTRUCTION OF THE BATTERIES OF ROSAS, IN THE
PARANA, BY THE COMBINED FORCES OF ENGLAND
AND FRANCE.
On the part of the English there were the steamers Gorgon and
Firebrand, Captain Hope ; corvette Comus, Captain Ingeltield ; the
brigs Philomel, Captain Sullivan, and the Dolphin, Captain Leving ;
the brigantine Fanny, Captain Key. Captain Hotham, commander-
in-chief, on board the Gorgon.
On the part of the French there were the steamer Fulton, Captain
Mazeres ; the corvette Expeditive, Captain de Miniac ; the brigs
Pandour, Captain Du Parc, St. Martin, and the brigantine Proceda,
Captain de la Riviere. Captain Trehouart was the commander-in-
chief on board the St. Martin.
On the 18th of November, the combined forces moored about
three miles from Point Obligado.
In the evening the captains of the Fulton and Philomel went in a
boat to reconnoitre the frontiers of the enemy's forces. They found
four batteries established on the right bank of the river. These
batteries mounted about 24 pieces of artillery, mostly of heavy ca-
libre, besides several detached field-pieces. The river itself was
barred by a stockade formed with 24 vessels, bound together
tbe by
three strong iron chains. This stockade was 'placed between
third and fourth batteries. At one of the extremities on the
right bank were 10 fire-ships ready to be let go; at the other ex-
tremity, on the left bank, was moored the Republicano (Rosas's
brig), armed with many pieces of heavy calibre, and designed to take
in enfilade the opposing ships. Two of these batteries were nearly
on a level with the river, and two others on peaks more or loss
elevated. Lastly, about 4,000 men, infantry and cavalry, were
posted so as to protect the shores, and oppose any landing. The
works were very strong, and evidently under the direction of Euro-
pean engineers, well acquainted with the rules of art ; and the
tenacity of resistance is to be attributed to the fact that the batteries
were served by foreign deserters.
On the morning of the 20th, as soon as forist cleared away,
ack. the
combined forces formed in three divisionsthe purpose of at
The first, under the orders of Captain Sullivan, and composed of the
Philomel, the Expeditive, and the schooners Fanny and Proceda,
received orders to take position towards the south on the left bank,
a little above the batteries, at above 700 metres distance, se as to
take them en echarpe. This manceuvre
succeeded perfectly, and
firing commenced immediately on both sides.o
The second division, under the command of Captain Trehonart,
composed of the St. Martin, the Comus, the Pandour, and the
Dolphin, took up a position towards the north, quite close to the
stockade, and in front of the batteries, and at the same distance of
700 metres.
This division was not only to attack the batteries, but also the
Republicans, whose fire took it in en „filade, as before stated. Un-
fortunately, whilst the St. Martin was anchoring, the wind happen-
ing to fail the vessels which followed her, the brig was for a long
time exposed to the lire of the batteries, and this tire was directed

against her with a greater fury, because she was recognised as ono
of the Buenos Ayrean squadron captured before Monte Video
The, generous efforts, however, of the Dolphin to draw close, suc-
ceeded in effectually assisting the St. Martin by the diversion of her
artillery, and by drawing on herself a part of the enemy's fire. The
St. Martia I had already her two only officers and several of her
seamen severely wounded. The Comus and the Pandour had, by
this time, come to take positions as near as the bank permitted, as
well as the Fulton and Precede, to both of which Captain Trehouart
had made signal to join. The battle was then continued with spirit
on both sides. Although the enemy distributed his shot pretty
freely against all opponents, his especial fury was directed against
the St. Martin throughout the engagement.
This brig had 44 men placed hors de sombat, tvro pieces dismounted,
her rigging destroyed, her masts ready to fall—the mainmast
alone having received 11 balls. Notwithstanding all these disad-
vantages, she continued to fight vigorously, when another shot struck
her chain-cable, and at length forced her to quit her position. A
bomb-shell from the Dolphin at the same moment set fire to the
Republican, which shortly after blew up.
The fire-ships wore then launched by the enemy, but being turned
by the current did not produce the intended effect.
The third division, under the command of Captain Hotham, was
composed of the Gorgon and Firebrand (the Fulton had joined the
second division), had waited in observation at the distance of 1,500
metres from the farthest battery, throwing thence hollow projectiles
in all directions.
Captain Hope, of the Firebrand, went in his boat into the\midst .of
the fire to break the chains which united the stockade.
His intrepidity was crowned with the most complete success. When
once the chains were broken, the strong current opened the line of
vessels forming the stockade, and the Fulton immediately took ad-
vantage to pass through and place herself in a position higher up, so
as to cross her fire with that of the first division.
It was at this period that Captain Trehouart, quitting the St. Mar-
tin, which was totally disabled for further service, went on board the
Gorgon to concert with his colleague C apt . Hotham. Thence he passed
to the Expeditive, and made the signal of union to the Pandour and
Proceda ; he then ordered his three ships to run aground at pistol•
shot distance from the batteries, upon which they threw a shower of
grape. The corvette, Comus, came up quickly to sustain this intrepid
manoeuvre. At the same time Captais Hotham disembarked with
much skill and vigour 325 English soldiers. This determined con-
duct on the part of the two commanders, executed with equal
bravery and success, overcame the last resistance of the enemy, and
decided the day.
The first English detachment, under the command of Captain
Sullivan, had been received on landing by a heavy fire of musketry
from the enemy in ambush in an adjoining wood, bat the arrival of
the rest of the troops, under the orders of Lieutenant Hindle, quickly
put the enemy to flight, notwithstanding the efforts of their cavalry,
which were charging and ruthlessly slaughtering the English infantry.
Captain Trehouart, having likewise landed with his men, shortly
after joined the English, and took possession of the batteries, on
which the enemy discontinued further resistance.
On the morning of the 21st additional forces landed, and completed
the destruction of the batteries. The gun carriages were destroyed,
and the guns broken or cast Into the river. Ten bronzed cannon
only were preserved, and shipped on board the combined squadron.
All this day the allied forces remained ashore without being in the
least disturbed.
It was during the hottest part of this remarkable engagement that
Captain Hotham wrote to his colleague, Captain Trehouart, the
words underneath quoted—words equally honourable to the writer
and to the party addressed—" If the title of brave' has ever been
deserved, it is by you and your crews." "Si le titre de brave a ja-
male etc merits, c est par vous et vos equipages."
The engagement with the batteries began at 10 a.m., and lasted
till 5 P.M., during which time there was an incessant firing. From
5 to 7 P.M. the landing and the destruction of the works took place.
The loss of the combined forces is—French, 18 dead and 70
wounded. Among the dead, Michaud, officer of the St. Martin.
Among the wounded, the officers are—Hello, same ship ; Vemeix, of
the Pandour; Simmonneu, Expeditive; and David, Fulton. The
English lost-10 dead and 25 w•unded, and among the former are two
officers, Lieutenant Brigdale, Firebrand ; and Andrews, Dolphin.
The Fulton has received 104 shots, the Dolphin 107. The St. Martin
has been literally drilled. Captain Trehouart had only one officer on
board, and half the crew hors de combat, or 44 to 96.
The loss of the enemy cannot be ascertained, carts being constantly
employed to remove the dead and wounded : it must be considerable.
In two batteries only there were found 408 dead, 250 in one and 150
in the other. Private letters state that the neighbouring woods
contain many dead.
The battle of Obliged° is the more honourable to the two servlCos
in that it was not ships of the line and frigates, bat merely brigs, ana
even smaller vessels, which advanced against batteries well served,
well mounted, and well defended by retrenchments and works pre-
pared for three months previously, and which were fought bravely
for seven consecutive hours.
This victory will destroy the prestige which has hitherto favoured
Roses, and will open to the two intervening Powers a great work of
civilisation.
The thoroughly cordial understanding which has uninterruptedly
existed between the civil representatives and the naval and military
chiefs of the allies, the energetic conduct of their squadrons, and the
complete union and mutual loyalty with which, on this occasion, they
co-operated, are certain guarantees of ultimate and early success.

HADDIN GT ON.
FICTITIOUS VOTES.
(From the Berwick Advertiser.)
The Town Council of Haddington having had under
their consideration the system of fictitious voting, at
present existing, unanimously appointed a committee to
adopt measures for the purpose of bringing under the
notice of the Legislature, electors, and the public in
general, the unconstitutional and discreditable nature of
such votes. As an address to the electors of the burgh
of Haddington seemed to the committee one of the best
means to further the above purpose, the following was
submitted to the consideration of the Provost, Magis-
trates, and Council, who unanimously approved of and
adopted it, and agreed that it should be printed and cir-
culated:—