The Sun.
London, England, 1826-08-15 00:00:00

CORFU.

following is an extract of a private letter from
Corfu. Its details are of considerable interest :

CORFU, JI/0 I.—The report which I mentioned in
my last, respecting an engagement between some Greek
pirates and the Canzbrian frigate, proves, unfortunately, to
have too much foundation. It is not, however, the Cam-
brian, but the Sybille frigate, which has sustained the loss.
The Commander, Captain Pechell, is accounted one of
the best, if not ie best, in the Mediterranean. His ship
is always in most excellent fighting. trim. It seems that
a set of pirates had, for a length of time, established them-
selves on"the southern coast of the island of Candia, in a
part all but inaccessible. They fortified the spot in such
a way, that if chased they could put their vessels into
shallow water, leave them, and, placing themselves behind
their rude breast-works, make a stout defence.
For the lest few weeks' the Archipelago has become so
dangerous, that no vessel sails without a convoy. Two
brigs, the one a Maltese, the other a Sardinian, were
boarded, rifled, and their crews maltreated—even tortured
by these miscreants. They were ordered to make the best
of their way back to Malta; but the winds proving con-
trary, they were obliged to run for Alexandria. They told
the treatment they had received to Captain Pechell, who
instantly determined to drive the pirates from their strong-
holds. The entrance to the creek (of which he was in-
formed by a Greek master) proved to be so narrow that
little or nothing could be done, as the guns could not be
made to bear upon the Greek vessels.
The crews, who, according to their system, had left
them, to repair to their works on the land, when summoned
to surrender, said, that if their ships were burnt, they must
starve, and of the two deaths, they preferred being shot.
A severe action took place, in which eighteen of our men
were killed, besides three dicers, and 22 wounded. There
is reason to believe that the Greek.vessels were not much
injured; although the Malta Papers say, two were de-
stroyed, and the other two crippled. The frigate's boats
made the attack, and were exposed to a severe fire, not
being protected by the cannon of their own ship.
This is treating the Greeks too lightly ; it should he
remembered that they are a set of desperate fellows,
young, exceedingly active, and ever in the midst of danger.
Besides, when engaged with a man of war, they are fight-
ing with a noose round their necks; if taken, they are
hanged—and, if not taken, but their ships destroyed, they
must starve—and surely the risk of being shot, with, at
the same time, the chance of escape, is the better of the
alternatives. This, they. feel, and generally when they
fight, fight desperately: I assure you, that their little
rocks are so dependent on trade, and: on the Continent
for supplies, that now, when trade is at an end, and the
merchant 'will consign his cargo in a Greek bottom, to
live they must pirate. We expect some severe work now;
for this affair of the Sybille will bring us about their ears ;
and as the islanders were, and are, Much more ferocious
than their continental brethren, they will occasion some
trouble.

Lieut. Gordon, who had three shots through his body,
and who is since dead, is deeply regretted. All the garri-
son of Corfu hear testimony to his excellent conduct as a
gentleman, and his bravery as a seaman. Lieut. Tupper is
also dead, and one midshipman.
Captain Hamilton's plan, if feasible in all cases, is the
best : eighteen Greek ships, upon seeing him, made for the
land, and there proposed to defend themselves, as usual,
behind rocks, and stones,"and rude fortifications; they were
1,000 strong. Captain Hamilton . promised* to land'
thent on the Continent if they would give up their vessels.
His determined character seemed to 'have influenced them,
for they instantly consented, and were accordingly lauded.
Of course, they will join their brethren, and the pirate va-
lour will now be a virtue.

By the last accounts from Napoli di Romania, we learn
that the Greek Government have issued strong• orders
against pirates, and prayed for assistance from foreign
Powers to quell them. The plague rages among the
troops of Ibrahim, and the 'summer fevers are coining
into play as strongly as the plague, so that something may
yet, be done.