The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-20 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICAN.

The West India and Pacific Steamship Company's
steamer American, Capt. Alexander Kidd, arrived
yesterday morning from the West Indies, bringing
dates from Colon to the 21st, Santa Martha 23d,
Kingston evening of the 26th, and Port-au-Prince
of the 28th.
EXECUTION OF GORDON.

The Colonial Standard, of the 26th ult., gives the
following description of the execution of the rebel
leader, Gordon, on the 23d ult. :—" Rumour soon
spread that George William Gordon was to meet
his doom at 7 o'clock, and, as it wanted only a
few minutes of that time, I hastened down to the
place of execution. There he stood high above
all the other rebels, beneath the great arch of
the burnt Court-house, with his hands and feet
pinioned, and the halter already around his neck.
It was underneath this same arch he stood taking
notes on the day of his ejection from the vestry
board. Beneath him were the steps on which he
was wont to stand when haranguing a multitude on
the days of election. Through this same archway,
more than once, have an infuriated mob rushed into
the sanctum of the Queen's hall of justice, inflamed
with passions roused by this deluded man's teach-
ings, and it seemed the hand of retributive justice
that doomed him to meet his death on the very
spot of his vile machinations. Before the drop fell
he requested the Provost Marshal to put him out of
the world quickly, and not punish him. As the
fatal plank was withdrawn he struggled, but it
was for a few moments—life was soon extinct. Up
to his last moments he received unusual considera-
tion from the Provost Marshal, notwithstand-
ing the strict guard placed over him. Seventeen
others were also executed, and amongst them Geo.
Mackintosh, one of the plotters of the insurrection,
and Isaac Cameron, who confessed to having shot a
volunteer, and in whose premises a volunteer rifle
was found. Early this morning, before George
William Gordon was conducted to the scaffold, he
asked for pen, ink, and paper, which were given to
him. He wrote several letters, and desired the
Provost Marshal to hand them to the Brigadier-
General, and thanked him (the Provost) for his
kindness to him while in his custody. The Provost
Marshal is still untiring in the faithful discharge of
his onerous duties, and his astonishing vigilance is
the wonder of all. The rapidity with which he ac-
cumulates information and evidence shows that the
Government has made a proper selection. The
courts-martial for the trial of other rebels (about
200) resumed their sittings at nine o'clock. It is
now half-past eight, and I therefore close this
despatch.

THE SCOTCH UNIVERSITIES.-Mr. Carlyle, in
the following letter to the Senaticus Academicus of
Edinburgh, intimates his acceptance of the office of rector :
"30, Clarendon-crescent.—Mr. Carlyle desires it to be
made known to the electors and others concerned that he
is very sensible of the great honour done him; that he
cheerfully accepts the office of rector, and that he will, to
the best of his ability, endeavour to discharge its duties."
—The Rectorial election in Glasgow has resulted in the
defeat of Mr. Gladstone--in spite of the majority of the
individual suffrages of the constituency having been given
in his favour—the Duke of Montrose, Chancellor of the
University, having, on Thursday, added his casting vote
to the votes of the two "nations" which went for the Lord
Justice Clerk.—Two of the four candidates nominated for
the Rectorship of St. Andrew's University—Lord Lyttel-
ton and Lord Kinnaird—have, we understand, withdrawn;
and the contest now lies between Mr. John Stuart Mill and
the Lord President of the Court of Session.—Scotsman.—
It will be seen by the following letter, addressed to Mr.
Dalglish, M.P., and received by the Liberal Committee just
previous to the election, that Mr, Gladstone positively re-
fused to stand as a candidate for the rectorial chair : " 119
Carlton House-terrace, S.W , Nov. 11. Dear Mr. Dalglish
—I see some rather vague notifications in the newspaper's,
from which I gather that some members of the University
of Glasgow are so good as to think of proposing me for the
office of Lord Rector. I should value it as a great favour
if, with your extensive local knowledge, you would cause
it be made known, through any suitable channel, that S._
short time ago, in reply to a request of the like purport
from St. Andrew's, 1 stated, with whatever regret, that rel
engagements would not permit me, after laying down 111);
office in Edinburgh, to accept a similar charge in any oth!
of the Scottish Universities.--Believe me very faithfully
yours, W. E. GLADSTONE."
A first part of Napoleon's second volume of re
" Histoire de Jules C6sar" is in type, and copies are in
hands of translators. The opening chapters relate to wv
Gallic campaign of A.X.T.C. 696.