The Sun.
London, England, 1833-10-08 00:00:00

PIRACY.

The following extract of a letter from an officer
of his Majesty's ship Curlew, relates the circum-
stances under which the piratical vessel Panda ex-
ploded, and the names of those of the Curlew who
unhappily met their death by that occurrence :
" In May last we arrived at Prince's, and our Cap-
tain (Trotter) received information from an Ame-
rican brigantine then lying here, that a piratical
schooner, the Panda, had boarded the Mexican, a
Boston brig, on the 20th of September, in lat. 33
N. long. 34 W. near the Cape de Verd Islands, and
had robbed her of upwards of 20,000 dollars. The
Panda, we were informed, was now lying up the
river Nazareth, near Cape Lopez, not far from
Prince's. Capt. Trotter accordingly set sail for that
place, and anchored within two miles of it. On the
4th of June he sent his boats up the river, taking
command of them himself, and had pulled up about
two miles, when he discovered a schooner lying at
anchor. They still continued rowing, and had suc-
ceeded in approaching her unobserved, till they
came within half a mile. The current at this time
was running very strong, and the crew of the pit ate
had been enabled to effect their escape in their
boats ; but previous to their quitting the schooner,
the villains set fire to a tram which we have since
learnt was already laid and prepared. The boats
shortly reached the schooner, and on the men go-
ing on board, forbid that in less than five minutes
the Panda would have blown tip. By undiminished
exertions the crew of the Curlew succeeded in al-
laying the progress of the flames, and on the next
day the schooner was conveyed out of the river, and
joined the Cutlery. It was of course desirous, and
of great importance, if possible, to capture Don
Pedro Gilbert, the captain of the Panda, and his
crew. We therefore sent our boats up the river in
quest of them, but without success. We ascer-
tained that they had taken refuge in the town of
Lopez. In this service, I am sorry to tell you, we
lost our assistant-surgeon(s nLsaiureieo).e,lywhreogrfeetitleda
and
to the fever; he was
beloved by all his messmates. Captain Trotter, on
healing that the pirates were at Lopez, resolved to
anchor the schooner abreast the town, with most of
the officer-, and men on board, and make a formal
demand of the pirates from the King of Cape
Lopez, whose name is Possal. Accordingly the
Panda was taken abreast of the town (there not
being sufficient depth of water to admit the Curlew
within gun shot), where the King resided. The
Captain then went on shore, and after some con-
ference with the King, the latter refused to deliver
up the pirates. A flag of truce was therefore
sent on shore the next morning (15rh June), to in-
form them that if thay did not bring the villain off
in four hours' time, the town should he reduced to
ashes. On the same day the Curlew was brought
nearer the schooner, to intimidate the natives.
Picture to yourself the enthusiasm that reigned
in
the breast of every one on board the schooner—
too soon, alas! to be blasted. At four p.m. the
pirates not being sent off, we fired the fist gun from

ST. IVES. —Mr. Commissioner Rushton conducted the
inquiry into the corporation of this borough. The parties
examined were, the Town Clerk, Lieut. Roberts, R.N.,
Captain J. Wearne, and Mr. W. W, Kempthorne.
PENZANCE.-The Commissioners were engaged on
Wednesday in investigating the state of the corporation of
this borough. At its close, the Commissioners expressed
themselves satisfied with the past administration of that
body.
SALTASIL-From the examination of the Town Clerk,
it appears this corporation claim their rights and privileges
by prescription. The first charter was that of Reginald
de Valletort, Nov. 27, 1831, Baron of Trematon. The
corporation consisted of Mayor, seven Aldermen, of whom
the Mayor was one, Recorder, and an indefinite number
of free burgesses. The present Mayor has filled the office
four successive years; the late Mr. James Buller had, in
one instance, held it over six ; the free burgesses are
elected by the Mayor and Aldermen. Three Aldermen
are resident, including the Mayor. The burgesses are free
of tolls throughout the kingdom, except London. The
whole body of the corporation are at present consulted as
to management of the revenues. The borough pays no
county rates. The new road from Plymouth and Devon_
port to Saltash is likely to increase the borough. Mr.
Toby, Alderman, filled the office of Receiver about 20
years, and resigned about a year ago. His accounts were
settled 6th August, 1833. Revenues arose from the rent
of ferry, oyeterage, burgage, market, and quay dues.
There are no lands. The ferry was sold about a year ago
to the bridge company for 4,1'591., the whole of which is
now in the Exchequer. It let previou,ly at about 2001.
per annum. At one time the revenues were 700/. or 800/.
per annum. The minister of the borough chapel, St.
Nicholas, formerly received 60/. per annum, but now
40/. By a recent resolution, the minister would receive
400/. as an endowment, in lieu of the 40/. Present debt
—mortgage, 1,8261. 6s. 2d ; ditto ditto, 231/. ; ditto to
the chapel, 4001. The accounts from 1910 to 1828 were
not audited by the corporation till 1831, but by Mr.
Smith, of London, the mortgagee, who gave no security.
The mortgage arose in consequence of a law suit in 1809,
For the last eight years the revenues had but just met the
necessary expenditure. The Commissioners, with Mr.
Sloggeet, went over the whole of Mr. Tony's accounts
to the year 1828, and expressed themselves satisfied with
their correctness.

HELSTON. —On Monday (30th ult.) Henry Roscoe,
Eq., one of the Corporation Commissioners, sat at the
Guildhall, and entered into a minute investigation of the
affairs of the corporation, when the fullest and most satis-
factory explanations were given as to the income and
expenditure of that body. The corporate bodyseonsists of
a Mayor, Recorder, five Aldermen, and an unlimited
number of Freemen ; of the latter there were formerly not
more than 40, but they have since been greatly increased.
The corporation act on a charter granted them in 1771,
and which supersedes 13 others previously granted by
different Kings, &c.
TRURO.—The inquiry into the state of this corporation
clo,ed on Friday, when Mr. Commissioner Roscoe said he
trusted the investigation which bad taken place would be
productive of considerable benefit to all parties. It had
been the object of the Commissioners, as well as their duty,
to afford the fullest opportunity to the inhabitants to make
every inquiry into the state of the corporatist, and he
trusted that those inquiri,s would prove satisfactory. In
conclusion, the Commissioners had to express their thanks
to the Town Clerk for the readiness with which he had
supplied the information called for, and to the inhabitants
who had so kindly assisted them, by suggesting subjects for
investigation ; and they were satisfied no information was
withheld.

Among the curious facts brought to light by the In-
quiries of the Corporation Commissioners not the least
striking circumstance is the knowledge that most of the
corporations are in debt. Their debts can only be paid
by the future I ,hour of the inhabitants ; and thus we find
that, in addition to what is called the national debt, there
is another debt in almost every town anti p iris}, in the
comntry, which, taken altogether, consritute a burden
which is breaking the back of the people by its pressure.

STRABANE CORPORATION.—OH Saturday,
the Commissioners took their sears in the Court House of
Strabane, to inquire into the state and affairs of that
corporation. Sir J. Burgoyne, the provost, was examined
at great length.

ENNISKILLEN CORPORATION.—The COM-
tnis,ioners have finished their inquiries at Enniskill,n.
Mr. Deering, K.C., as agent for Lord Enuiskillen, gave a
deal of information regarding the charter of the place, its
tolls, customs, and general revenues.
_ _

One of the most opulent bankers in London
is the chief pecuniary supporter of Mr. Irving's religious
establishment in Newman-street. There are likewise
other wealthy persons who have contributed largely to-
wards the purchase of the gallery belonging to the late
venerable President of the Royal Academy, which is now
converted into a temple for what they themselves denomi-
natelnspired Groaners.

A successful application has been made to
the Treasury f,,r a grant from tie education fund, to erect
school-rooms in this town, capatile of educating from '7OO
to 1,000 children. The scho.l will, we believe, be con-
structed on the most liberal system, admitting children
without any reference to sects, party, or religious profes-
sion. The plan of teaching will be that pursued by the
British and Foreign School Society.— Wolverhampton
Chronicle.