The Enquirer

VICTOR HUGHES.

Extract of a letter from Paris, dated Sep. 1, 1810.

"The first Council of War, of the first military division, after eight days deliberation has closed its proceedings in the cause of the adjutant Commander, Mr. Victor Hughes, Member of the Legion of Honor, Commissary of H. I. M. and Commander in Chief of the colony, of Cayenne, and of French Guyana, S. America. An immense number of documents had been put in as evidence, and upwards of forty witnesses examined. The Commissary reporter (Judge Advocate,) after a long and very luminous summing up for prosecution, left the case to the wisdom of the Court. A whole day was employed by the prisoner's advocate Mr. Prieur, who made a most eloquent and interesting speech, and the accused himself was heard upon the evidence; after which the court was cleared for about half an hour. On the door being opened, the presiding General publicly read the sentence, which declared him not guilty, that Mr. V. Hughes, charged first, of not having done his utmost in defence of the colony; and, secondly, of having capitulated with the Anglo Portuguese,* in order to save his own plantations and property, was Not Guilty; and that he should be forthwith set at liberty, and restored to his functions."

* It will be recollected that Cayenne was reduced by an Expedition sent from Rio de Janeiro last year, by Rear Admiral Sir Sidney Smith, under the orders of captain L. L. Yeo. of his Majesty's ship Confiance whose conduct fully justified the confidence reposed in him.