The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-25 00:00:00

[.Morning

By the Leeward Island Mail, which arrived yes-
terday, we have received letters from Saint Tho-
mas's, dated the 24th ult. The object of Lord
Cochiane's ambition has at length been develop-
ed. These letters state, that it was reported there
that the Noble Lord had arrived at Mal garetta, in
the beginning of November, with a stivadron of
five ships, which ate supposed to have joined hint
a few days before, and that he had taken the com-
mand of the whole of the Venezuelian fleet,
which was previously under Admiral Brion. In
effecting this, he found no difficulty, as the men
had been very badly treated by Brion ; they bad re-
ceived no regular supply of provisions for the last
three months ; and being for the greater part of
Brifith origin, they were happy to serve under
their countryman. Admiral Brion, of course, is
represented to have been much enraged at this
open mutiny of his men. A subaltern command
was offered him, which he rejected with indigna-
tion, and he expressed himself determined to pro-
ceed forthwith to Angostura, to know by what au-
thority the English Admiral had taken possession of
his fleet.--The ships brought in by Lord Cochrane
were from 3 to 400 tons. They had on board
about two hundred and fifty men each, and were
armed with from twelve to sixteen guns. Et was
not known with certainty at Margaretta whether
it was the intention of the new Admiral to remain
there ; it was generally believed that be was going
, to co-operate with General Paez, apiust cumanu,

The state of the Patriot caHse is represented to
be flourishing. The Independents were ►actively
preparing to open the campaign. Their land
forces are said to consist of nine thousand
Hien, who are already to take the field. In a
Proclamation recently issued by General Mo-
rill°, in which he exhorted his soldiers to
loyalty and courage in the defence of Cumana
against the approaching attack of the Patriots, it
was stated that that event would probably take
place in December. The General %int, making
every exertion to attach to him the army under
his command. To some of ►ile best soldiers he

had given comntissions, and he supplied the men
with double rations. His force is said to be equal
to that which is about to be hrought apinst him.
--.-Lord Cochrane was preparing a proclamation,
in which he would assume the title of Admiral of
the Venezuelian fleet.

[The Times.]
CAPITAL PUNIsHNIENTS ANI) FORGERIES OF

BANK NOTES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sltt—Alchough always reluctant to intrude on
public attention, 1 think dint I should be cul-
pably timid or indolent if 1 did not announce a
circumstance communicated to me by a❑ autho-
rity on which I can rely.

William Weller was hanged in the Old Bailey, with Cash-
man and Driscoll, on Tuesday, the 15th instant, for circu-
lating forged Bank-nutts. On the proofs of his guilt, or the
expedience of his execution, I do not presume to remark;
hut after the execution his corpse was delivered for interment
to his friends; arid from the very room in which was placed
the coffin with that corpse, and during its continuance in that
room, some forged Bank-notes have been uttered by his con-
federates; and three persons have been apprehended for
issuing notes, probably obtained at that place, and are com-
mitted fur further examination for that offence.
On this statement it would Ire absurd to dilate. The con-
clusions arc as obvions as irresistible. The facts demonstrate
the total inefficacy of the punishment of death for the sup-
pression of such crimes. In all future and approaching dis-
cussions they should not be forgot. They may much aid the
efforts of the wise and good to prevail on the Legislature to
abolish a punishment so sanguinary and unavailing; and to
• compel the Bank of England to resume cash payments, and to
make such improvements in their notes as will render forgery
wore difficult and detection more certain, and as will protect
the com:nunity front fraud, and preserve the virfortunate
from temptation and from guilt.
Finsbury-place, Dec. 24.

JOHN WILES.

Assurances are conveyed to us by private let-
ters from Paris, that the project, which a part of
the Administration had entertained in conjunc-
tion with 0:e body of the Ultra Royalists, to re-
scind or motii:'y the law of elections, has been
abandoned, in deference to, or in terror of, the
Fublic sentiment, pronounced as it is with daily in-
creasing vehemence, in favour of that highly im-
portant law. It is prophesied, that another scheme
which has been in agitation will prove as unsuc-
cessful as the former. One party of Ministers
is said to have proposed, and another to have
strongly resisted, first, a temporary suspen-
sion, and then an absolute repeal of the law
in question. The authors of this proposition
appear to wish, that there should not be an elec-
tion for three years to come ; and thenceforth that
the Chamber should be renewed all at once, in-
stead of by fifths, as at present. Now the 37th
article of the Charter declares, in plain and posi-
tive terms, "that the Chamber shall be renewed
1" every year, by a fifth."—(/bid.)

It is said in a Morning Paper of yesterday, that
a body of Contractors for the last Loan, and their
Subscriber:, presented a Memorial to the Cl►an-
cellor of the Exchequer against the engagement
of the Bank to return to Cash Payments. This,
if true, is something like the Petition of the Agri-
cultural People for raising the Importation Price
of Corn. What would become of the mass of the
Nation, if these two parties might be suffered to
grind it in turn ?—(lbid.)

o.* For THE COLONlES,—S'TAcKfiousz,—and B. on Poor
BATE:, see the First Pare.-..-Fur PROVINCIAL JOURNALS,

see the Last Page.

DAY.—Holiday at the Bank, Exchequer, Eas'
India, and South Sca Houses, this day.

MAILS.
AltRIV£l,-1 Dublin, t Holland, I Flanders, I Malta.
DUE-2Waterford, 2 Guernsey and Jersey, I Sweden, 2 Ham.
burgh, I Holland, 1 Lisbon.

HIGH NVATER AT LONDON BRIDGE To.mortnow
/turning, 8 lairiutei A (ter 1. I Evening, 33 minutes alter