The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-24 00:00:00

river as far as they might ascend it, and return to their
respective vessels before the 23d inst. They ascended
the river about thirty miles beyond where I left them.
In this distance they met with but two natives. They
passed several places where they were obliged to unload
and haul these light boats over. They found, also, the
pine trees scattered about in two's and three's a little
distance from the bank.
The rive*, from the mud and leaves banging on the
banks, showed that, at same period of the year, it was
at least ten feet above the level at, that time.
The absence of spars and wood of any description on
the frequent bridges of rocks across the river, on the
Op of the many spots of sand, or on the-summit of the
banks, which bear evident marks of having been over-
flown at some season, shows that the Buckland is not the
source from which the enormous quantities -of wood
found at Choris Peninsula is derived. We have never
found a particle of wood on the eastern face of this
peninsula—all is on its western.
Commander Moore and his party returned on the 19th.
We now commenced to prepare for our departure south-
ward. The Plover's house was nearly completed, and
as much provisions as he could stow or take care of were
placed on board her.
September 26-13 y this day we were ready to start,
having completed all the Plover's masts. She was not
dismantled, nor did Commander Moore intend doing so
until she was fairly laid up on the beach.
In consequence of the illness of Mr. Shedden, of the
yacht, and of my having previously removed his chief
mate, I was obliged to direct Mr. Parsons (second
master), of this ship, to take charge of her and navigate
her to Mazatlan, where he might expEct to meet me.
Early on the morning of the 29th of September I
weighed from Kotzebue Sound, with a fair breeze from
the north-east, yacht in company. At the time of our
departure there was early snow on the low lands—the
streams were 5t.,11 running. In fact, the whole month of
September had been remarkably fine—generally with
strong winds from the eastward.
We experience,' very hard weather on getting out of
the Sound; parted company with the yacht.
Passed Behring's Straits on the morning of the 2d of
October in a heavy gale from the N.N.W.
October 11—At midnight passed the Alentian Group
by the Straits of Amonkhta, in longitude 171 deg. W.
These straits are thirty-five miles wide, perfectly safe
and free from the races frequently met with in the other
straits of this chain.

On the 13th of October, in latitude 47 deg. 30 sec.,
and longitude 106 deg., we experienced a heavy northerly
gale, with an unusual heavy sea, which broke on board
of us and nearly swept our decks.
On the 19th of October, in latitude 43 and longitude
106 we bad another gale at E.S.E. Between this and the
14th of November, when we anchored at the port of
Mazatlan, there was nothing remarkable but the preva-
lence of north and south-east winds, which forced us to
the coast, within 100 miles of San Francisco, before we
got the north-west wind.
At Mazatlan I found lying her Majesty's ship Amphi-
trite and the Nancy Dawson yacht, this little vessel
having arrived the morning previous.
I have endeavoured in this letter and the accompany-
ing documents to give their Lordships a detailed account
of my proceedings while in the Arctic circle, which, I
trust, will meet with their approval.
And, in conclusion, I hope fur the consideration of
their Lordships for the officers serving under my com-
mand, who have, as heretofore, without an exception,
displayed uncommon zeal in their respective duties.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your very obedient ser
vant,

HENRY KELLETT, Captain.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

COMMA/4DER J. C. D. Hay, OF THE COLUMBINE.
—We have authority for stating that the promotion of
Commander J. C. D. Hay, of the Columbine, 12, re-
cently engaged in service'against the Chinese pirates,
has not taken place ; and that, however acceptable to
his friends the confirmation hereafter of the incorrect
report of some of our contemporaries may be, it is at
any rate premature. We have little doubt, however,
that whea the dispatches detailing the gallant conduct
of Commanders Hay and Wilcox come in due course
before the Board of Admiralty, their Lordships will
as favourably appreciate their services against the pi-
rates as they did those of Captain Lyons, of the Pilot ;
Captain Farquhar, of the Albatross ; and Commander
Lockyer, of the Medea.—Herald.
DEATH OF COMMANDER P. LE VESCONTE.—COIII-
mander Le Vesconte (1816), for many years British
Consul at L'Orient, Brittany, died at that place on
the 16th inst., aged 64. He was the son of a purser
who lost a leg in Howe's action, and served 21 years
afloat during the war from the date of his first entry
into the navy, in 1794. " As midshipman of the
Saturn (says O'Byrne's Biography'), he was pre-
sent in Hotham's partial action with the French fleet
off the Hy eres Islands. In the Monarch, 74, Cap
tain James Robert Mosse, Mr. Le Vesconte bore a
part, and was wounded in the battle of Copenhagen,
April 2, 1801; in consequence whereof he was pro-
moted, May 23 following, to a lieutenancy in the
Glatton, 50. His next appointment was Sept. 6,
1803, to the Magnificent, 74, Captain William Henry
Jervis, in which ship, when forming part of the in-
shore squadron off Brest, it was his misfortune to be
wrecked, during a gale of wind, March 25, 1804.
On being restored to liberty after seven years of cap-
tivity, ae find him joining, in the course of 1811,
the Leopard, 50, armee in flute, and in August,
1814, the Queen, 74. He returned home from the
Mediterranean in December, 1815, and has since
been on half-pay."
PORTSMOUTH, WEDNESDAY. The Contest, 12,
Commander the Hon. J. W. S. Spencer, arrived at
Madeira, from England, en route to the coast of
Africa, on the 10:h inst.
The Dauntless screw steam-frigate, in dock, will
be ready for the pendant about the Ist proximo, when
it is expected she will be put into commission.
The students of the Royal Naval College resumed
their duties on Monday.
THE SAILOR'S HOME —Captain Sir James Ster-
ling, of her Majesty's ship Howe, 120, in the Me-
diterranean fleet, has forwarded a donation of 51.
(which will be continued annually) towards the above
highly deserving and meritorious object, and con-
sented to become one of the vice-presidents of the
institution. Commander Wilson, of the Howe, has
also subscribed 51. towards the same object.

PORTSMOUTH GARRISON.—The first of a series of
lectures on military science, instituted by the Lieute-
nant-Governor of the District, to the soldiers of the
garrison, with a view to their moral and intellectual
improvement, will be given in the Queen's-rooms,
Portsea, on Saturday next, under the patronage of
his Lordship the Major-general Commanding. All
the officers of the army and navy, and the non-com-
missioned officers and men, with their families, are
invited to attend. Civilians will also be admitted by
tickets, which may be obtained at the Town-Major's-
office. The expense of these lectures to the troops in
his district will be defrayed by the Lieutenant-
Governor, but as the lecture-room is gratuitously
afforded, and the services of the lecturer rendered
upon the same complimentary terms, together with
the loan of the necessary apparatus for illustration by
the Admiralty, his Lordship's purse will not, we
hope, be drawn upon to any inconvenient extent.
PLYMOUTH, JAN. 22.—Her Majesty's frigate
Arethusa, 50, was commissioned on Sunday, by Cap-
tain T. M. C. Symonds, and is to have a complement
of 500 men. This morning 86 privates, 3 corporals,
3 sergeants, and 1 lieutenant of Royal Marines, were
detached from the division here and sent on board.
Tne Captain of Royal Marines is not yet appointed.
The Indefatigable, 50, Captain Stuart, is yet in
the Sound ; her complement is not complete, and it
is intended to send out draughts to join her at Lisbon.
There must be something wrong in the discipline of
the navy when a ship like the Indefatigable is de-
tained so long at home in a profitless effort to obtain
a crew.

The steam-frigate Terrible, Captain Hope, came
in yesterday, from Portsmouth, and this time did
not run aground.
The steam-frigate Stromboli, Captain Lord A.
Beauclerk, was off the port on Sunday afternoon, and
having, signalised the Indefatigable in the Sound,
proceeded down Channel, probably to overtake and
assist Commodore Collinson in the Arctic expedition,
which left the port the same morning.
The Crane packet came in on Sunday from Fal-
mouth, and is gone up harbour to refit.

The Diligence transport arrived on Sunday from
Deptford.
Wind, easterly ; light breeze.
APPOINTMEXTS.

Woo Limn., JAN. 23.—Chaplain—The Rev. G. E.
Purchas, to the Arethusa at Devonport.
Naval Instructor—G. F. Parker (1836), to the
Arethusa at Devonport.
The Volcano steam-vessel, 140-horse power, has
been taken into dock to have her bottom cleaned and
examined. Although covered with copper sheathing,
it has been found covered to a considerable extent with
shells and corals, several of the clusters being of nearly
three inches projection, which must have greatly iui•
peded her progress.

CAPE OF GOOD Hor.E.—We have received Cape
of Goad Hope pipers of the 15th Nov., at which date
the convict question remained in much the same unsatis-
factory state as when the previous vessel quitted that
shore. The Neptune still continued off the Cape ; and
although petitions after petitions had been presented to
the Governor, Sir 11. Smith, praying that he would order
the Neptune away, he peremi Only refused, assigning
as his reason that he would not commit "an act illegal,
impolitic, and of dangerous example." The colony was
quiet ; hut several of the shopkeepers who had fur-
nishe the Government with provisions were utterly
ruined, the colonists having refused to purchase of them
any longer. Threats of actions for damages had been
made by some of the tradesmen so circumstanced ; but
it was not expected that, if trial followed, the object
sought would be obtained.
Dispatches from the Governors of the North Ame-
rican Provinces were received yesterday at the Cole-
nial-office. Dispatches were also received yesterday
from
the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian
Islands.

BUCKINGITAMSI3IIRE RAILWAY.-Of the 22 miles,
17 are now ncarly completed, and. it is expected that an
engine will non be able to unlit ite way $9 >Bilubtuy.