The Sun. — 1852-05-17 (London, England)

PORTSMOUTH', MAY 16.—The Philomel, 10, Commander G. T. Forbes, arrived at Spithead yesterday afternoon from the West Coast of Africa station with mails and dispatches of considerable importance. She sailed from Sierra Leone on the Ist ult., at which date the Penelope, 16, Captain Lyster, carrying the broad pendant of Commodore Bruce, Commander-in-Chief ; the Dolphin, 3, Lieutenant Commander Temple ; the Sealark, 8, Commander E. S. Sotheby ; and the French Commodore in a steam frigate, were there. Exchanges at that date was par on England. The Philomel put in at no intermediate port. Commander Forbes of the Philomel, and Mr. Tcedie, the purser, have lately returned from a mission to Abomey, endeavouring to conclude a treaty with King Gezo for the suppression of the slave trade. The slavo trade abolishment his Mejesty signed, but the condition relative to missionaries, residences, schools, and burial grounds he would not sign. Treaties have also been concluded with the chiefs of Great Popoe and Little Popoe, Aghway, Goom-a-Loota, Segora, Affia-hoo, Adeffi, Elmina Chita, and Blook-hoose, and the Philomel has brought home the dispatches relative thereto. She also brings the rather unexpected intelligence—after what we have heard of his previous apparent goodwill—of the celelirated King of Dahomey having ordered the British Vice-Consul out of his dominions. When the Philomel left the station his Dahomean Majesty's porta were being blockaded by the British in consequence. The slaver-cruisieg squadron is very healthy, but they are somewhat dissatisfied with the dulness of the station, owing to no prizes being made. The Philomel has been remarkably healthy, not having lost any officer or man by fever during her service on the coast. She has brought home Commander Marshall (late Lieutenant of the Penelope), on promotion, both officers having been engaged and wounded in the late affair at Lagos. She has also brought home Dr. Sloss, Assistant Surgeon of the Alecto steam-sloop, and the witnesses for a trial to take place on Spencer, a stoker of the same vessel, on a charge of murder of an able seaman of the Alecto named Abel Potts. The Sampson steam-frigate, 6, Captain L. T. Jones, having taken on board a quantity of tables, stools, and an extra galley for the use of troops she is to embark for the Channel Islands and Queenstown, sailed last evening about nine o'clock for Dover, where she will embark the 54th Foot for Jersey. The following acting-mates and midshipmen passed in navigation for lieutenants at the Royal Naval College last week :—Messrs. A. J. Chatfield, R. M. Gibson, F. A. Maxse, J. B. Balfour, E. Squeri, W. A. Smyth, R. 0. Leach, C. C. Robinson, C. Fitton, W. Vicary, R. R. Hartwell, Viscount J. Gilford, and H. Huxhem. The following second masters, R.N., also passed at the same time for masters t—Messrs. C. M. Hughes, H. Bond, H. B. Boxer, and 11. D. Sarratt. The following young gentlemen also qualified for entry into her Majesty's service as naval cadets, and have joined the Victory until appointed to seagoing ships:—Messrs. J. Hawkins, C. A. Watts, E. B. Pusey, W. 8011, J. E. Erskine, L. J. Evans, and F. S. D. Broughton. The Basilisk steam-sloop arrived to-day from Plymouth. The Centaur steam-frigate, Captain Cannon, flag of Rear-Admiral Henderson, C. 8., was at St. Catherine's, Brazil, on the Ist ult., where she had been staying a few days on her way to Rio de Janeiro from the River Plate. She left Monte Video on the 21saof March, and unless unforeseen circumstances took her again to La Plata before the usual season, it was the intention of the Admiral to pass the next five or six months at or in this neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. All were well on board. She arrived at Rio on the 13th. ult, but finding fever still prevalent she was to sail that day week for Ballia, which was healthy. The Plumper, 11, Commander Nolloth, is on her way home. It is reported that Captain Blackwood, late of the Victory, will take the command of the next expedition to Bohring's Straits should one be sent to the relief of that of Captain Collinson and Commander M'Clure; and that Commander Englefield will be the second in command; also that Captain Giffard, and the officers and crew of the Dragon steam frigate, on arrival from Lisbon, will be turned over to the new steam frigate Tiger at this port.