The Sun.
London, England, 1828-10-27 00:00:00

UNION-HALL.

Some days ago a James Barrait, a private be-
longing to the ]loyal African Colonial Corps, gave
himself up as a deserter to one of the constables of
Peckham, who brought him to this office. In the
presence of the magistrate, Mr. Horse, he acknow-
ledged that he had deserted from the above regi-
ment, and assigned as a reason for that breach of Ow
Articles of War, the terror and apprehension pro-
duced on his mind by witnessing the number of his
comrades that were constantly dying from the pesti-
lential nature of the climate of Sierra Leone; he
had, he said, received orders while in that colony[to
hold himself in readinesss to embark for Fernando
Po, and having heard that the climate in that new
settlement was equally as unhealthy as that which
carried off so many of his comrades, he, and four
other men belonging to the African Corps, availed
themselves of the offer of the master of the
Diadem, who induced them to leave the colony,
saying, " that he (the master of the vessel) would
receive them on board, all his men with the ex-
ception of three, having died while on that
station, and promising to pay them 41. each on their
arrival in England.' Under these circumstances,
Barrett and his four comrades deserted, and assisted
in working the vessel home. On the arrival of the
ship in port, according to Barratt's statement, the
master of the Diadem behaved in the most ungrate- I
ful and cruel manner to those unfortunate fellows,
but for whom he would not have been enabled to
quit Sierra Leone for a considerable time. The
moment of the vessel's arrival, the master sent Bar-
rett and the other men adrift, without giving them a
farthing for their exertions on the passage, and
threatening to give them in custody as deserters if
they attempted to make any noise about the matter.
The men then proceeded inland, and failing to obtain
work, they separated, and Barratt came to town and
delivered himself up as a deserter.
Mr. Horse, under all the circumstances, committed
him to the county gaol, until a communication should
be made to the Secretary at War. Barrett has re-
mained in prison ever since, living on the gaol al-
lowance, and complains much of short rations, de-
claring that, bad as Sierra is, he should prefer join-
ing his regiment again to his remaining in his present
quarters.
In reply to Mr. Hone's statement of the case, the
Secretary at War.has written to the Magistrate, re-
questing that he would fully investigate the Cl/ cum-
stances relative to the man's desertion, and ascerta!n
whether there is any truth in Barratt's assertion as
to the conduct of the master of the Diadem; the
Magistrate, in
compliance with the request, has
again examined the deserter, who affirms his account
to be correct, ands statement to the above effect has
been transmitted to the Secretary at War, who, we
understand, has issued directions to discover the
master of the Diadem, in order that his conduct on
the above occasion should be sifted, and punishment
awarded if the deserter's account be substantiated.

It is stated that Mrs. LEGH, late Miss TUR-
NER, whose affair with Mr. E. G. WAKEFIELD B°Me time
ago excited such painful interest, is likely to give a lair to
the ancient house of Lyme.—Chester Chronicle.

That stupendous work of art, the canal tunnel,
under Standedge, between Huddersfield and Manchester,
extends under ground upwards of three miles, and is t2O
yards below the surface. The length of the voyage
through the tunnel and back again is six miles and a half.
—Manchester Herald.

LAW INTELLIGENCE:

COURT OF KINGI; BEr4CII.

LONGMAN AND OTHERS V. SIG PETER ANTS