The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-07 00:00:00

THE WEST INDIA MAIL.

SOUTIIAMPTON, JULY s.—Late last evening the Tay,
Captain Sharp, with the West India and Mexican mails,
arrived in the docks, and landed her mails, which were for-
warded to London by the two A. 31. train this day. Dates
of the Tay :—Tampico, May 2 ; Vera Cruz, June 2; Havan-
nah, June 11 ; Honduras, May 20; Chagres, May 26; Ja-
maica, June 8 ; Carthagena, May 29; Demerara, June 4 ;
Trinidad, 6th; Barbadoes, Bth; Grenada, 10th; St. Thomas,
16th ; La Guayra, 16th ; Bermuda, 20th.
The Tay reports strong westerly winds since she left Ber-
muda, but otherwise very fine weather.
Her Majesty's ship Daring was at Havannah on June 7tb,
and went out of harbour on the 10th.

The Clyde arrived at the Havannah on the 6th June.
The Tay has brought home a valuable cargo, consisting of
93 passengers, 1,940,000 dollars, 1251. British coin, I,BBooz.
of gold dust, 5201b:3. of platina, I%lbs. of pearls, 1 package
of emeralds value 20,000 dollars, 138 cues of vanilla, 32
bales of jalap, 100 bales of tobacco, 26 cases of cigars, 55
packages of pines. 13 cases of preserved turtle, 5 cases of
tortoiseshell, and 80 packages of sundries.
NEWS FROM MEXICO.

'From private sources we learn that the system of blockade
is becoming general on the coast of Mexico; the ports of
Tampico and Vera Cruz have been declared.
Captain Saunders, of the American blockading ship off
Tampico, has given notice to the Royal Mail steam-packets
that permission would be given to land their mails and pas-
sengers, but that they would not be allowed to embark or
disembark quicksilver. specie, or any kind of merchandise.
In Vera Cruz the Royal Mail steam-packets will be al-
lowed to land their mails, passengers, and take specie, but no
other description of merchandise. Notice will be given on
the arrival of the American commodore for further instruc-
tions.

There is a strong report about a revolution in favour of
Santa Anna. Upwards of 500 troops and as many of the
inhabitants of the town of -Vera Cruz were in the hospitals.
The town is very sickly. The number of the troops in castle
and town, under command of General Bravo, is said to be
about 2,200.

An American barque passed the American blockade, and
ran herself under the Mexican fort ; she was several times
fired upon, but being a quick sailer she ran under the
Castle, where she received protection, but was not allowed
to land her cargo until further instructions from the city of
Mexico,

The United States Consul for Mazatlin and Vera Cruz left
the latter place a few days before the Tay, in a United States
steam ship.

FIRE AT BANSTEAD.—On Saturday morning, at an
early hour, a mounted messenger arrived in London with
intelligence of a fire at Copthall Farm, Banstead, the pro-
perty of Mr. Al!cock, of Kingswood Warren, which termi-
nated in the destruction of considerable property. It was
discovered by Joseph Bartlett, police-constable, on duty near
the farm, who saw flames issuing from one of the sheds, and
raised an alarm, the flames having already obtained the com-
plete mastery of the wood building where it originated.
Three engines from the neighbouring villages were brought
to the spot, but when they arrived the whole farm was on
fire. Great exertions were used, but owing to the scarcity
of water the various buildings, &c., were entirely consumed.
Six sheds, two barns, one granary, a large stack of straw,
and several stables were completely destroyed by the fire,
which is supposed to have originatel by one of the labourers
lighting a fire in one of the sheds.
DRUMMING OUT.—The amusing proceedings con-
nected with " drumming out" an incorrigible scamp from the
honourable ranks of the 37th, was gone through this week at
the Newport Barracks, and caused much fun to the company
few regrets to the escaped man, and great merriment to the
lookers-on.—Monmouthshire Merlin.

FIRE AT POPLAR.—On Sunday forenoon, shortly after
eleven o'clock, a fire, that at one period threatened the most
disastrous consequences, broke out at No. 6, Trinity Alms-
houses, North-street, Poplar ; the property of Messrs Wigram
and Green, the ship-builders, but in the occupation of Mr.
Palmer. The flames originated from some cause that could
not be ascertained, in the ground-floor front, and so firma
hold had they obtained before discovered, that on the return
of the occupier to the room (after the absence of not more
than five minutes) he found the place wrapped in one com-
plete blaze. The engines were speedily on the spot, and the
lire was soon extinguished, but not before that part of the
premises where it originated was burnt out, and the furni-
ture destroyed.
A BENIGHTED BEADLE.—A beadle some time ago, in
a parish in Ayrshire, was examined and dismissed for gross
ignorance in spiritual matters, as well as for not walking even
according to the light which he had. Some time after he
applied for restoration of privileges, en the plea that he had
learned and amended. " Well, John," said the minister, " I
will just ask you a few plain questions:—What!is baptism ?"
" 'Deed, Sir," replied John, "I canna weel tell you what
baptism is noo—new folk, new laws; but in my time it was
fourpence to the beadle, and tippence to the precentor."