The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-05 00:00:00

have taken the liberty of forwarding to you the follow-
ing particulars relative to the loss we have sustained
within the last three days. Being becalmed off Cuba
ea the 4th, and our water being out, it was determined,
if the want of wind should continue, to send the boat on
shore next day to fill a couple of caaks from a fresh-
water river, of which there are four or five running
from the mountains. On the sth, at six A.M., the boat
left the ship, having on board the following persons, viz.,
the first mate, J. Waddington, Hugh Owen, George Lee,
James Strutt, and Charles Hunter. About a quarter past
eight, a.m., a very heavy squall, with much rain,
came suddenly on ; and we, being very short of
hands, were obliged to let go by the run
some of the sails. We stopped up the scuppers
and collected the water in empty barrels and pickle-tubs
by means of pots and basins, and anything that came
handy. Captain Johnson not liking the appearance of
the weather, asked me to fire my gun, as a signal for
the boat to return to the ship, which I did nine or ten
times, loading so as to make the loudest report I could.
We were at that time about seven miles from the shore,
and could see the boat distinctly with the naked eye
gradually nearing it ; but they, took no notice of the
firing. Twelve o'clock came, and we were rather sur-
prised that we could not see the boat returning, as Mr.
Waddington said he should not be gone above four
hours, and the weather was now quite fine, with a
beautiful breeze off the land ; and Captain Johnson,
anxious not to lose it, we continued cruising up and
down the land opposite the creek till four o'clock, P.M.
Captain Johnson then began to be alarmed for the fate of
the boat and her crew, which he now supposed had
been seized immediately on its arrival by the natives,
and the people murdered. Six o'clock came and no boat
in sight. At desk we hoisted a lantern at the Peak
End, in case our suspicions should not be true. We
then got up the fire arms, loaded and double-shotted the
muskets and pistols (not having sufficient gunpowder to
load the swivels, as it had been left behind), and arming
ourselves with . a cutlass each, watched anxiously all
night long, so as not to be taken by surprise, in case the
Spaniards attempted to board us in the ship's boat (which
is their plan) as we were determined to sell our lives as
dearly as possible, knowing well that if once they got on
board, every soul would be murdered. In the night
(which was as dark as pitch) a heavy squall occurred,
and we were obliged to run out to sea a little way.
" The next morning we stood in shore, and as soon as
it was light, what should we see coming out of the creek
where our boat went ashore, but a large low suspicious-
looking schooner. 'We hoisted a signal 'of distress, and
fired a gun or two, but no notice was taken of it. After
a time the schooner having run close along the land,
till she got to windward of us a good way, made all sail
she could upon us, till we could see that her decks were
filled with men. We then immediately set stu'nsail and
everything that would draw, fearing her designs upon
us, and knowing that it would be perfectly useless to
contend against a force so palpably superior. The
schooner, after a short chase, finding that she did not
gain upon us, shortened sail, and stood in for the land
again. There being a fair breeze and nothing to be seen
of our unfortunate boat's crew, we thought it better,
even in the crippled state in which we were, to continue
our course for Vera Cruz, than run the risk of life and
property by keeping the ship in such close connexion
with the land, and with such a vessel. Trusting that in
the course of a short time something of certainty will be
known with regard to the fate of the unfortunate
boat's crew, _ _

" I remain, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant.
"E. J. PERRY."

Mr. Devett read several other letters to his Lordship,
and said that they most satisfactorily proved the validity
of the claims of the men upon the owners, who would at
once render them every service to which they were entitled.
The LORD MAYOR said he expected nothing less from
gentlemen of such high character as the owners of the
vessel. His experience enabled .him to form correct
opinions, in general, of the romantic casualties to which
sailors were often subjected; and he rejoiced to find that
so little of the sort of tragedy which was frequently
mixed with the adventures of the sea was to be found in
the details which had been mentioned. He certainly con-
sidered that the men were entitled to their wages for the
whole voyage. Mr. Devett—They shall receive their
wages for the whole voyage, my Lord.

CLERKENW ELL.
Yesterday police constable 10 G, reported to Mr.
Combo that an unfortunate man,named Walker,
well-known about town as a vagrant, and called " Silly
Billy," was apprehended on Monday night last, in Wake-
field-street, Regent-squere, for being drunk, and causing
a mob of persons to assemble ; and yesterday morning,
on proceeding to his cell, ho was found quite dead. The
dceeased was charged at this Court the day before with
being drunk, when be was in a most horrid state of filth;
he was paralysed, and had been in custody three or four
times in the course of last week. He was 2G years of
age, and a most incorrigible drunkard. His body lies
for a Coroner's Inquest.
Richard .Halmer, badge 759, in the employ of Mr.
Lee, cab-proprietor, of High Holborn, appeared to a
summons, to answer the chargo of Mr. AV. Wade; builder,
of No. 1, Arnwell-street, Clerkenwell, fur having at-
tempted to exact more than his legal fare, assaulting him,
and insolence.

It appeared from the complainant's evidence that on
Wednesday last a gentleman; a lodger in his house, was
in haste to reach the Birmingham Railway, and witness
sent his son for a cabriolet, but remaining away longer
than was expected the gentleman hired a. cab accident-
ally passinir by. The defendant shortly after arrived
with his vehicle, when witness, in consideration of his
havit", been called from his stand, tendered hint Bd., on
which he demanded a shilling, and forcing himself into
the passage, refused to leave unless he was paid a shit.
ling, and behaved himself in a most insolent manner, to
the annoyance of his family, and caused a mob to-as•
scqnble round the house. He was eventually ejected; and
witness took out a summons.

Mr. COMBE—I shall convict you in the penalty of 40s.
and costs, and in default of payment one month's impri-
sonment in the House of Correction, with hard labour.

DISTRESS IN THE COUNTY OF

RENFREW.
(From the Renfrewshire Reformer.)
We subjoin a copy of the answer returned by Sir
Robert Peel, on receipt of the memorial from the
county of Renfrew, regarding the state of the country.
The Premier states that he has read with painful inte-
rest the report which that communication conveys, of
the distress which prevails in the town of Paisley and
the neighbouring villages. And so Sir R. Peel may
read with painful interest these statements, when he re-
flects that he was the leader in disbanding Parliament
three months ago, when it should have contined in Ses-
sion devising means for the relief of the suffering trades-
men at Paisley and other parts of the countryn place
of merely expressing sympathy, however, we should
have preferred having the sincerity of Sir Robert
Peel's pain for the sufferers in this district evinced
by some exercise of the vast power which he possesses
to afford relief. There are twenty ways by which the
Cabinet have the means of administering to the relief
of the suffering manufacturing district,. In the first
place they might order the distribution of provisions
at the national cost. In the second they ought in-
stantly, at the very least, to issue an Order in Council
for the sale of grain from bond duty free. The Cabi-
net should also patronise a national subscription : and
this they have refused to do. But in addition to these
means of granting speedy and effectual relief at the
command of the Government, they could, without loss
to the country worthy of name, and with great advan-
tage to our naked population, order a distribution of
clothing from the military stores, particularly bed•
clothes and men's wearing apparel, abundance of which
they have at their disposal :
" Drayton Manor, Dec. 25, 1841.
Sir,—l have had the honour of receiving the com-
munication which bears your signature, entitled the
Memorial of the Noblemen, Commissioners of Supply,
Justices of the Peace, and Magistrates of towns of the
County of Renfrew.
" I need scarcely assure you that I have read with
great attention, and with painful interest, the report
which that communication conveys of the distress which
prevails in the town of Paisley and the neighbouring
villages, and that I will not fail to avail myself of an
early opportunity of bringing it under the notice of my
col leagues.

," 1 cannot close my acknowledgment of this commu-
nication, without expressing my sincere satisfaction
at learning that the privations to which the labouring
classes have been necessarily exposed have affected the
general health in a less degree than might have been
rxpected, and Without at the same time recording, as
the head of her Majesty's Government, my grateful
sense of those local exertions which have been made
with so much perseverance, liberality, and sound judg-
ment, for the mitigation of the sufferings of the unem-
ployed in the neighbourhood of Paisles. I have the
honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

" ROBERT PEEL.
"Sir W. Milliken Napier, Bart., &e."

SIDNEY SMITH'S LAST.—This worthy and
facetious dignitary of St. Paul's, dining in company last
week with Dr. Selwyn, the new Bishop of New Zealand,
observed, though a most excellent dinner was provided,
that his Lordship ate very sparingly. " Come, my
Lord," said he, " this will not do in New Zealand (in-
cluding the Cannibal Islands), where you will always find
two courses, and u cold man on the sideboard. What
think you of that?" The Bishop replied, that he did
think the practice worse than "roasting bishops in Eng-
land !" The " Senex Derisor' was dumbfounded.
Mr. Mather, the organist of St. Bride's, Fleet-
street, performed several pieces on the organ from the
works of Handel, Mozart, Bishop, and Arne, yesterday
evening, before a numerous and highly respectable assem-
blage, at the gallery of Mr. Bates, .Ludgate-hill. The
audience appeared highly delighted throughout the whole
performance, but, to judge from the applause, the favou-
rite pieces appeared to be the duet " Crude! perche," by
Mozart ; Arne's " Hymn of Eve," and Bishop's glee
" With Hawk and Hound," which were rapturously en-
cored. Nothing could exceed the exquisite pathos, and
finished execution, which was displayed in the two
pieces—the "Hymn of Eve," and the " Crudel perche."
The performance concluded with the Coronation Anthem
—" Zadock the Priest," which was loudly applauded.
Mr. Mather performed the vocal parts, with lrs right
hand,on the seraphine, while he executed the accompani-
ment on the organ with hii left and, through the pedals,
with his feet.

THE LATE FAILURE AT ARUNDEL.—On
Saturday last Mrs. Drewett, the wife of one of the part-
ners, died, supposed of a broken heart, occasioned by
the failure. She was a lady much respected in the neigh-
bourhood, and sister to Mr. Hopkins, the other partner
in the banking concern. -