The Sun.
London, England, 1821-09-04 00:00:00

SLAVE TRADE.

The following is an extract of a letter from an
Officer on board his Majesty's ship Tartar, un-
der Sir GEORGE COLLiER, Bart., Commanding
the Squadron stationed on the Coast of Africa,
for the suppression of the odious and illegal traffic
in Slaves :

" At Bonny two slaving vessels were taken by the boats of
the Tartar and Thistle; one, indeed, much by the good ma-
nagement of Lieut. Hagan, commander of the latter vessel.
This young man put the prime of all his brig's company into a
canoe which had come off, and stowing these, to the number of
thirty-five, under the natives, went alongside the Slaver, a
Spanish schooner, having on board a gang of the most desperate
villains unhung. As it was dark, the surprise Ntas complete ;
but the tide was so very rapid, that any mischance must have
been the certain sacrifice of his entire crew. He, however, fully
succeeded; and in this canoe captured the schooner, having
450 slaves, and a most desperate crew of 50 men. The schooner
was prepared to resist, having her cannon all primed, and 50
muskets on deck loaded. _ _ _

" As the black people in the canoe were too much under fear
of death to betray, when hailed by the Spanish schooner, they
answered all was well. In the next moment Hagan and his
thirty-five men were on her deck ; when the master and others
seized the small arms, and kept, up a rapid fire ; by which
three British seamen were wounded ; and in the alarm,
many of the female slaves, not in icons, leaped overboard, and
in a moment were carried away by the sharks, which abound
in this part of Africa, and which seem to know a slave
vessel as a well-trained pointer does his game; I have
seen them following in scores. Whether the crew of this
schooner, many of whom, by their language, must be either
English or Americans, are apprehensive of some evil for
their misdeeds, I know not, but they seem very contrite and full
of sorrow—very orderly and penitent : but, I verily believe, had
these vagabonds had the opportunity, they would have blown up
their vessel. In truth, Ido not think there is a crime of which
they have not been guilty—and piracy amongst others. It is re-
markable that the schooner is a vessel captured last year; sent
to Sierra Leone; released by the famous Mixed Commission for
trying prize causes, on pretence of her being a Patriot privateer.
—These vessels are provided with papers and colours of various
nations, which they use as best serve their purpose. This
schooner is one of those most celebrated forsailing, and belongs
to the Havannah. _ _

" Lieutenant Marsh, of the Tartar, pushed up the river in
quest of a Portuguese, of which we got information ; and, after
receiving the fire of her guns and musketry, boarded and car-
ried her; for firing, the boats' crews contented themselves by
giving the Portuguese a most severe drubbing. This vessel,
though only commenced her slaving a week, had one hundred
on board. We had great trouble and anxiety in getting these
vessels down the river, the channels of which require great cau-
tion in passing; and if you can judge what 400 people would
suffer confined in the between-decks of a Margate hoy, not above
3 feet ti inches high, you may form some opinion of the necessity
there was for removing a considerable number of these most
wretched beings to the decks of the Tartar, and of liberating
them from their horrid slave-room, and from the confinement of
irons, as soon as possible. One of the slave vessels captured had
been complete in her cargo of human misery only two days,
and was waiting a favourable wind to clear the shoals, and yet
there were more than thirty cases of the very last stage of dys-
entery. The dying and the dead were mingled together. The
women were comparatively comfortable ; and yet there were
nearly one hundred confined in a space not four feet high, nor
above sixteen feet by nine to sleep in. I can speak to these
facts, as I measured every part of these vessels. Their tubs
showed they were not exempt from the dreadful disease which
had already commenced amongst the men, and which the na-
ture of slave food, with impure water, invariably produces.
" Nothing can be supposed more horrible than the treatment
and condition of the slaves in their passage from Africa. Fever
and dysentery let loose; the hatches scarcely open to admit suf-
ficient air even to prevent immediate suffocation Perhaps you will
hesitate in believing that the thermometer, which stood in the
shade at 85, rose immediately at the entrance of the slave-room to
110, and at last to 195. The fortunate circumstance of the Portu-
guese slave ship, Donna Eugenia, having only a small propor-
tion of her intended cargo on board, affbrded great relief ; and
though it was with extreme concern, we were compelled to in-
crease that number to 200, by relieving the other prizes, so
frightfully crowded. It is not possible to make these wretched
slaves comprehend their improved prospects by change of mas-
ters ; and though, for their relief and comfort, their irons were
ordered to be taken off, tire officer in charge of the vessel must
resort to this horrible mode of security, if any symptoms of dis-
turbance shall be observed."

Lieutenant-Colonel .Sir ROBERT STEELE, Knt.
and K. C.S., Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, is
appointed a Commissioner of Land Tax for that
County.
On Wednesday last the Duchess of BEDFORD
set out from Woburn Abbey, in order to join
the Duke in Scotland. When her Grace proceed-
ed on her way as far as Whitham-common, be-
yond Stamford, she felt indisposed, and returned
to Woburn Abbey; but we are happy to state
that her Grace Is quite recovered.

AMERICAN PAPERS.

(FROM THE NATIONAL ADVOCATE, OF JULY 27.)
IMPORTANT FROM SOUTH AMERICA-

By the arrival from Curacoa of the schooner
IVlacdonongh, the Editor of the National Advo-
cate has received regular files of the Curacoa Cou-
rant to the Sth instant, containing the particu-
lars of the splendid victory obtained by the Pa-
triots under the command of Bolivar, over the
Spanish troops, commanded by the Royalist Ge-
neral La Torre. The battle was fought at Ca-
rabobo on the 24th of June, and continued with
great fury during the whole day. The force of
the Patriots consisted of 3,000 infantry and

1,800 cavalry ; that of the Royalists, 2,500 in-
fantry and 1,400 cavalry. The loss on either
side is not distinctly stated ; but from the san-
guinary nature of the contest, both parties must
have suffered severely. The Spanish cavalry are
represented to have behaved in the most cowardly
manner, having fled from the field of battle. while
the infantry kept their ground and fought with
a courage becoming a better cause. One entire
regiment of these brave men was nearly cut to
pieces, and another only escaped a similar fate
by a rapid flight. Two battalions of English
fought on the side of the Independents, and they
are stated to have contributed greatly to the
victory, by the cool and determined manner in
which they engaged the Royalists. After the
defeat of his army, La Torre fled to Puerto Ca-
bello, where he was joined by about 2,000 of his
straggling troops; but so corn pletel y dispirited that
no measures were taking to protect themselves
against the attacks of the Patriots; while the inha-
bitants were in the utmost consternation,and hurry-
ing on board the ships in the harbour to escape the
impending danger. Eighteen vessels had reached
Curagoa with 1500 of these unfortunate people
on board. It is evident that the Spanish Ge-
neral will be compelled to evacuate the whole
district of Columbia, as, after the signal defeat
which the main body of his army has sustained,
he never will be able to take the field with a
force sufficient to cope with the victorious 130.
livar, who is stated to be in full march at the
head of 3000 troops, to occupy the city of Ca-
raccas, where it was expected he would make
his triumphant entry on the Ist of July. A few
days subsequent to that on which the Patriots
achieved the victory over the Spanish General in
Chief, a body of their troops was defeated in the
city of Caraccas. The Royalist C eneral Pereira,
after being worsted in several engagements with
the Patriots, was at length joined by the gar-
rison of Laguira, and marched to the attack of
Caraccas, which was occupied by Bermudez. A
desperate and sanguinary battle was fought in
the streets of that capital, which terminated in
favour of the Royalists, the Patriots having had
500 killed, and 300 taken prisoners. There
were 2000 Patriots and 1500 Royalists engaged
in this affair. Pereira afterwards attacked
and took Laguira ; but, in consequence of
the account of the total defeat of La Torre
having reached him, he considered it prudent
to evacuate Caraccas and retreat to Cumana. One
account states, that Pereira had been dispatched,
at the head of an expedition of 600 men, which
had sailed from Puerto Cabello, and had been
landed at a place to the windward of La Vela,
where he was joined by two hundred other
troops, destined to make a descent upon Coro.
Nothing shows more clearly the low ebb to
which the cause of the Royalists is now reduced,
than their resorting to so paltry an expedition.
The Curacoa papers contain a proclamation of
the Spanish General La Torre, dated General
head-quarters, Valencia, 6th June 1821,' in which
he declares Maracaybo, Barcelona, and Coro, in
possession of the Patriots, to be in a state of
blockade. Subsequent events must have rendered
this measure unavailing to the Royalists. In ad-
dition to the above, we have seen a private letter
of the 9th of July, which states, that from 2 to
3000 people had arrived at Curacoa from the
Main; that the Patriots after destroying the
boasted army of the Royalists, bad not only taken
Caraccas and Laguyra, but also Valencia. As
for Porto Cabello, continues the writer, it being
a very strong place, the Spaniards are in posses-
sion of it yet. However there is a great scarcity
of provisions there, as the whole of the interior
is for the Patriots. The convoy will sail again
to-morrow for that place to save the remainder
of the Spanish property, and on their return I ex-
pect to learn that the whole of Porto Cabello is
abandoned by the Royalists.
[KROH THE CURACOA COURANT, JULY 7.1

We have but little to add this week to . wha

we published in our last of the posture of affairs
on the Main, there having been hut one arrival
from Puerto Cabello, on Saturday last, which
brings the accounts only down to the 29th. At
that period the place was crowded to excess
with people of all descriptions, who daily come
in from the country, and it was thought that in
consequence there would be a scarcity of provi-
sions. The supineness of the Government ap-
pears almost incredible ; it would seem, from the
extract of a letter which we subjoin, that no very
effectual measures had been taken to defend the
place against any attack of the enemy, far less to
act on the offensive, although 4000 men might be
easily embodied in Puerto Cabello. We are at a
loss to account for this apparent inactivity in the
Government, otherwise than as the conse-
quence of some jealousy or misunderstand-
ing, which is said to exist between La
Torre and Morales.—Caraccas and La Guy-
ra have been finally abandoned by the
Spaniards. Col. Pereira, whom we noticed in
our last as having expelled General Bermudez
from the capital, has in his turn prudently left it,
in consequence of accounts of the disastrous de-
feat of General La Torre's army having reached
him, and being no doubt afraid to encounter the
superior forces of Gen. Bolivar, who are stated
to be on their way to take possession of that
city. If it be true that Col. Pereira has taken
the road to Cumana, it is probable he may fall
in with Bermudez's division, at least he runs the
hazard of an engagement with the enemy before
he reaches his destination, as he must necessarily
pass near to Barcelona, which is at present in
possession of the Independents.
MEx,lco.—By an arrival at Salem from Ha-

vannah, it appears dial Accotints had been re.
ceived at the latter place bn the 27th June, of
Iturbide, in con,junctio❑ with the priests, having
adopted the most despotic measures since the
recent change of affairs in Mexico. It was even
stated, that the sanguinary tribunal, the Inquisi-
tion, had been restored, accompanied with all its
horrors. We are inclined to doubt the accuracy
of this statement. It rests upon the authority of
private letters written by individuals, who do
not seem to have had the means of acquiring
correct information, as to the real situation of
the country. We should expect something else
of a popular revolution, than a return to former
despotic and tyrannical systems. We recollect
that a charge similar to that now made as to
Iturbide, was prepared against him several
months ago by the friends of the old Govern-
ment, and which proved to be without founda-
tion. It was even said, though upon no better
evidence, that he had betrayed the cause which
he had espoused, and purchased his personal
safety, by paying an immense sum of money,
the fruits of his rapacity. We need not be re-
minded of the arts employed by certain men, to
bring discredit upon the motives and actions of

:he Patriots in every country.
FROM the BALTIMORE FEDERAL GAZETTE, Of JULY 25.)

—....
FROM CALCUTT.t.--We were yesterday favoured
with Calcutta Papers to March 13, received by
the ship Union. In the Paper of the latest date
it is mentioned, that the Bombay Papers of the
21st of February give some brief notices of intel-
ligence from the Persian Gulph, the principal
feature of which is, that the restrictions on trade
still continue at Bussorah, in consequence of the
late disturbance there.' [he Papers of preced-
ing dates mention the departure of forces from
Bombay for the Persian Gulph to check the
Arabs, who had recently committed various de-
predations.
CALCUTTA, MARCH 7.—Letters from Nusser-
abad, dated the 12th ult., state that the troops
which had proceeded from that station to chas-
tise the Meenahs, had succeeded in effecting
their purpose. The Meenahs are described to be
the inhabitants of a hilly tract of country, which
chiefly belongs to the Joudpore and Codipore
States. These persons, it appears, had made an
attack on our police establishment in their neigh-
bourhood, which occasioned the movement of the
troops before alluded to. A detachment, after
a march of nine hours, surprised a village in
which the leaders of the disturbance were as-
sembled, and very few escaped. Among the
killed on this occasion, was a personage whom
the Meenahs had dignified with the title of Bad-
shah, and who soon after the troops had moved
from Nusserabad,had successfully defended a mud
fort,in which he had taken post. After the fall of this
Chief, the Meenahs called for peace in all quarters,
and our troops returned to cantonments on Jan. 30,
but not before the freebooterThadbeen compelled to
surrender the grain and cattle of which they had
plundered the country in the vicinity. The
Meenahs are described as a mixture of Mahom-
edans and Ilindoos, who lived together without
any distinction on the score of religion, and with
little observance of religious rites of any kind.
They have hitherto been formidable to their
neighbours, on whom, from time immemorial,
they have been accustomed to prey with impu-
nity ; but it is hoped, that the chastisement they
have recently received,will produce some change
on the character and habits of the survivors.

BOMRtY, FEB. 14.—The expedition under
General Smith, landed at Zoor, on the 29th Ja-
nuary. On a comparison of dates, the -,Lecision
and activity with which this armament has been
equipped and dispatched, is highly creditable to
the resources and the energetic character of this
Presidency.

By the arrival of the Stanmer packet at Fal-
mouth, letters have been received from Lisbon
of the 2.2 d ult. the contents of which are impor-
tant, inasmuch as they afford another proof of
the instability of the authority of the King of
PORTUGAL, under the present state of affairs in
that kingdom. It appears that the military are
assuming a tone which is likely to lead to the
most unpleasant consequences. A general re-
view of the Portuguese troops, under the orders
of General SEPULVIDA, the Military Comman-
dant of the city of Lisbon, took place in the
square of the Terreiro do Paco, in the presence
of the KING, who had placed himself at one of
the windows of the Royal Palace. Before the
review concluded, the KING being in conversa-
tion with several persons of rank, accidentally
turned his back to the troops in the square.
One of the first persons who noticed the circum-
stance was General SEPULVIDA, who immedi-
ately observed to several of the officers, that the
KING had placed himself in that position, in
order to shew his contempt and disgust of the
army. This became the signal for a general up-
roar throughout every regiment under review,
which vociferated from every side " Fora, fora,"
(off, off.) This exclamation was addressed to
the KING. So great was the tumult at this mo-
ment, that apprehensions were entertained that
some acts of violence would be committed on the
KING, and all those around him. After a short
interval, however, the KING succeeded in making
himself audible, and assured the troops that
nothing was further from his intention than that
of being guilty of what was attributed to him.
The letters add, that the declaration of the
KING had the effect of subduing the anger of the
troops.—(Morning Paper.)
A HINT TO CRICKETERS.—On Friday last, John Francis,
John Standley, James Toms, Thomas Wilson, and John
Ellis, were convicted before the Mayor and Magistrates of
Dover, for playing of cricket, in the parish of Charlton, on
the Sabbath, in the penalty of 3s. 4d. each, which was paid in
Court by the three first; the other two, Wilson and Ellis, in
default of distress, will be placed in the stocks for three hours,
agreeably to the Act of Charles I.
Futt.—The Mansion of W. B. MOYSTON,Esq.
at Copthall, Berks, was destroyed by fire on
Sunday night, and not a vestige of goods were
saved. The family were from. home. The fire
was occasioned by a careless servant setting fire
to some curtains. From the want of water and
assistance, the flames communicated to the
stabling, which, with the coach-house, soon be-
came a heap of ruins. A boy named Jenkinson,
who slept over the stables, was so much burnt
. that his life is despaired of.

LONDON MARKM,
PRICE OF BREAD THIS WEEK.

The highest price of the best Wheaten Bread throughout
the Metropolis, is stated by the principal Bakers to be Slid.
the Quartern Loaf.—Sonic Bakers sell the Quartern Lual,
from one penny to two pence lower.
lb. oz. 1 la.oz.
Peck Loaf to weigh .. 17 6 I Quarter n Loaf to weigh 4
Halt ditto.. ditto .... 811 Half Quartern ditto 21

IMPORTATIONS OF GRAIN LAST WEEK.
English. hilt). Foreign.

Wheat
Barley 319 - _-
Malt
Oats
Beans . - -
Peas .s
Tares
Brunk
Mustard
Seeds
Flour
Rapeseed

PRICE OF HOPS;
Pockets.

363
5,277
112

..,...-
85

pe►' Cwt., Sept. 1.
Bags.
Kent .. 21 18s a 31 5s a 01 Os
Sussex 11 12s a2l 4s aOl 0*
Essex 21 Os a 21 lOs a 21 35
01—Do. 2d, 21 8s to 51 Os 01
SOs to 50s

Kent 21 lOs a3l 10s aOl Os
Sussex .. 21 Os a 21 lOs a 01 us
Essex 91 5s a 31 Os a3l 14s
Farnham, fine, 41 Ins to 51 IS
Yearlings,
Foreign Pockets,
Duty laid a

—s to —s to --J.
,t 195,0001.

SEEDS, Sept. 3. ~
Red Clover (Foreign) 3os 46s 54s to 60s per cwt.
Ditto English —s 54s 56s to 63s
White ditto 66s 7Gs 905 to lOUs
Rye-Grass ... —s lbs to 26s per qr.
Turnip Seeds. —s Od 22s 44s to 28s pr. bush,.
White Mustard Seed
Brown ditto —s 7s lOs to 12s 6d
Red and Green ... —s Od to —s od
Carraway Seeds
Coriander do
Cinque Foil) —s Od —s to —s Od pet clr•
Trefoil
Ribgrass ... .6s 235 to 34s
Canary per qr 42s 46s to —s Od per qr.
Linseed
Rape Seed
Tares 36s to 44s 4tis per qr.

Sllll7 HFIELD MARKET.—Sept. 3.

(To snik the Offal—per Stone of 811)s.)
Beef 3s Od to 4s 4d I Veal
Mutton .... 2s Fid to 3s Bcl Pork. .32ss odod tt oo
if 40

Laiub 3s 4d to 4s 8d
HEAD OF CATTLE THIS DAY.
Beasts 1,984 Calves .
Sheep 42,840 L Pigs

.15°

NEIVGATE AND LEADENHALL
By the Carcase. ad
Beef 4d to 3s 4d Veal 2s Od to 43 ,
Mutton .......2s dd to 3s Od [Pori- 2s Od to 43 0.