The Sun.
London, England, 1859-05-10 00:00:00

Office of the Gas Light and Coke Company,
Horseferry-road, Westminster,
7th May, 1859.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That a
SPECIAL GENERAL COURT of the Proprietors of
this Company will be held at the Company's Gas Works,
Ilorseferry-road, Westminster, on FRIDAY, the 3d day of
June next, pursuant to the Act of the 59th year of his late
Majesty King George the Third, for the Election of the Di-
rectors of this Company for four years, who will the go out
of office by efflux of time, and will be elible to be re-elected;
and should a ballot be required it will continue open for four
hours from its commencement.
The Chair will be taken at 12 o'clock precisely.
By Order of the Court of Directors.

C. BURLS, Secretary.

a large crowd gathered in front of the National Hotel,
where Messrs. Brady, Stanton, Magruder, and Chilton
briefly returned thanks. The last-named gentleman re-
quested the assemblage to forego their intention to serenade
Mr. Sickles. He added that it was only necessary to say
that Mr. Sickles wished to retire to rest undisturbed, and
that he was sure this' appeal would be respected, Messri.
Graham and Thomas Francis Meagher were loudly called
for, but were not present. The crowd then proceeded to
serenade the Rev. Dr. Haley and the jurors. Nine or ten
of the jurors came to Mr. Brady's park& at the National
after all was over, and there, in the freedom of unrestrained
conversation, expressed their real sentiments. One of them,
Mr. M'Dermott, said, I want you, Sir, to tell the people of
New York that the citizens of Washington are not behind
those of any other part of the country in devotion to the
family altar;' and yet this juror was spoken of all through
trial as one who would.probably dissent from the rest. An-
other of the jurors, named Knight, brought with him his
ffddle, with which he had been in the habit of solacing him-
self and fellows during the long evenings of their seclusion,
and played several airs. He, too, had been regarded with
suspicion, because of certain Know-Nothing antecedents.
'But,' says Mr. Brady, 'if we had known that he played the
fiddle, we might have made our minds easy, for no fiddler
was ever known to find a. conviction of murder.' The fore-
man,
Mr. Arnold, said his only fear had been that health
might not last him throughout the trial, and that he hoped
that his latest posterity would honour his memory from his
having served on this jury. In fact, the'sentiments of the
jury individually expressed in this unrestrained conversation
were but a familiar and homely illustration of the opinion
contained in their formal verdict of not guilty. It is said
that when the jury retired one of them withdrew into a
corner and on his knees invoked Divine guidance, got up,
entered into conversation, again retired to the corner, and
finally rose with his mind fully made up in favour of ac-
quittal. Mr. Arnold, the foreman, after an affectionate
greeting with Mr. Stanton, expressed his gratification that
he had lived .to render such a verdict. The same juror, in
congratulating Mr. Sickles, said that he hoped and believed
the great God would acquit, as the jury had done. Mr.
Hopkins, another of the jury, and the wag and mimic among
them, expressing himself in regard to the justification of
Mr. Sickles, said he would !tailor himself-have been satis -
'fled with a Derringer or revolver, but would have brought
a howitzer to bear on the seducer. The emotions of the
counsel when the jury returned their verdict were mani-
fested in various ways. Mr. Brady, in spite of all his expe-
rience as a criminal lawyer, became pale, nervous, and agi-
tated ; Mr. Stanton, unable to repress the emotions of his big
heart, is described as having almost rivalled David when he
danced before the ark of the tabernacle; the usual stability
of Mr. Phillips gave way, and, covering his face with his
hands, he wept like a child. Messrs. Magruder, Ratcliffe,
and Chilton pressed forward and greeted their liberated
client; Mr. Meagher, in the exuberance of his heart, clapped
people on the back, and asked if it was not ' glorious ;' Mr.
Graham was passive and undemonstrative, but was one
of the first to welcome back his client to freedom ; the
district attorney said, 'he thought it would be so,' and
his associate, Mr. Carlisle, avoided the scene. As to the
gaoler, he wept deeply, and could not understand Mr.
Meagher when he condoled with him on losing his tenant.
The verdict of acquittal spread like wildfire through the
town, and for a moment all business was suspended. The
news reached Willard's Hotel at the hour of dining, when
the guests stood up and gave repeated hurrahs. A vendor of
oranges named Scott rushed into the house where Mr.
Sickles is a guest, and deposited a large box of his choicest
stock in the drawing-room to express his sympathy. Several
other tradesmen did the same thing. It would fill columns
to record the exciting incidents thatevinced in every direc-
tion the joy of the community at this righteous verdict.'
The jury stood eleven to one, and onlyleft the boxto satisfy
the scruples of some eccentric person who made a difficulty
about serving after he he had taken his oath. Several of
the jurymen remarked on leaving the Court-room that their
verdict had vindicated their wives, their children, and their
homes. It is rumoured the mob propose to tear down the
assignation-house made so infamous of late. A serenade to
the counsel for the defence takes place to-night. Mr.
Sickles intends remaining here for several days."
Mr. Robert B. Campbell, United States' Consul
in London, has for Warded to the Secretary of State
some seeds of the vegetable wax tree, and some
samples of wax brought to London by the ship
Florence. In his letter accompanying the samples
Mr. Campbell says :
" Consulate of the United States, London, April 8.
" Sir,—l am pleased to be able to add another evidence of
the forecast, energy, and enterprise of our commercial
marine, in the arrival of the ship Florence, of Boston, Cap-
tain Dumaresq, at this port, from Nagasaki, in Japan,
whence she sailed on the 17th of December last, with a
cargo consisting chiefly of vegetable wax. This arrivalfrom
Japan is the first that has ever occurred in any English port,
and it is gratifying to state that there is every probability of
Captain Dumaresq realising cent. per cent. upon the whole
of his outlay. The wax and the berry of fruit pr6ducing it
being previously unknown in this country, and deeming it
probable that it would be an equal novelty at your depart-
ment, I take the liberty of sending "to your address,
under separate covers, specimens of the wax and berry, the
latter growing in clusters similar to grape clusters, OR trees
varying from 15 to 25 feet in height. The cost of the wax
delivered in London is about 8 dols. per cwt. The experience
of Captain Dumaresq proves that the vegetable wax bears
without softening a greater degree of atmospheric heat than
any other wax he has experience of. The Japanese mode
of preparation of the wax is said to be very rude ; the ber-
ries being first washed by rude appliances, then boiled,
when it is formed into cakes of 301 b., and subsequently
dried in the sun. Should the labour not be too costly, there
is every probability that the tree might be successfully
raised and the wax manufactured in the Southern States. '
M. Megan, French Consul at New Orleans, had
been arrested there on a charge of harbouring, a
free negro sailor who had deserted his ship. The
British, Prussian, Spanish, and Belgian Consuls
had protested against this arrest.
It is stated that Lord Lyons and the United
States' Cabinet were on very friendly terms. The
first state dinner at which he was present took
place on the 26th.

Several floating hospitals were to be stationed off
Staten Island, instead of the quarantine on shore.
The New York Tribune states that the " Cheva-
lier" Wickoff had been appointed to carry out the
ratified treaty with China.
The boiler of the *Mississippi steamer St. Nicholas
exploded on the night of the 24th, between St.
Louis and New Orleans. The number of persons
supposed to have lost their lives was 30 or 40.

X: draught for 10,000 dols. had been received at
the State Department as an indemnification to the
family of the seaman who was killed on board the
Waterwitch in 1855 by a shot fired from a Para-
guyan fort, when that steamer was on her way to
explore the Parana river.

Mr. T. M. Persse. had been appointed United
States' Consul at Galway.
The overland mail from California and Utah re-
ports that affairs in the latter territory were any-
thing but satisfactory. The ill-feeling had reached
its culminating point, and the people were on the
eve of open hostilities. Differences also existed be-
tween Governor. Cumming and General Johnston
touching their respective powers, and there was
likewise an open rupture between the Executive
and Judiciary. The federal courts found it impos-
sible to exercise their functions, the grand jury re-
fusing to find bills, and using every other means to
screen parties accused of murder and other crimes.
Owing to the excited state of popular feeling, a
detachment of 1000 troops had moved from Camp
Floyd and encamped near. Trovo. Governor Cum-
ming had itsued a proclamation, taking part with
the Mormon sentiment.

By telegram from New Orleans we have the fol-
lowing Mexican intelligence :
" NEW ORLEANS, APRIL 26.
" The Steamer Tennessee, which arrived here to-
day, brings advices from Vera Cruz to the.22d, and
from the city of Mexico to 19th April. The news
is very interesting, and indicates a decided change
in the aspect of affairs in Mexico. Gen. Miramon
had succeeded in forcing the lines of the Liberal
Generals Ampudia and Clave at Orizaba, and has-
tened forward to the capital, which he reached on
the I Ith with a diminished army. The victorious
general had already commenced the work of
slaughter, and was murdering peaceable foreigners
indiscriminately. Me had also issued a formal pro-
test against the recognition of the Juarez Govern-
ment. The exequatur of Mr. Black, the American
Consul-General, had been withdrawn, and he was
banished from the country. Mazatlan had been
captured by Pesquira. The English were threat-
ening that and the other Mexican Pacific ports,
and were demanding payment of claims. At Vera
Cruz also matters were approaching a crisis. The
British Minister had insisted on the full payment
of all the claims of his countrymen, and had
instructed the commander of the British fleet at
that station to demand 1,500,000 dollars from the
Custom-house in Vera Cruz, and in case of refusal
to bombard the city. Juarez had withdrawn the
exequatur of the Spanish Consul at Vera Cruz."
Letters from Japan to the 31st of December men-
tion that the Japanese Commissioners appointed to
proceed to Washington to exchange the ratification
of the American Treaty are Nagaai Genba no Kami,
Governor of the Accounts and Minister of the Navy,
and Tway Say Higo no Kami, Imperial Inspector"
The Russian Consulate was to be removed to Kana:
gowa. The Russian steam-frigate Askeld was un-
dergoing repairs at Nagasaki. Cholera has been
raging in the northern part of Japan to a frightful
extent. At Yeddo alone the deaths are reported at
150,000 in one month. Allissima and Odowara
had also suffered greatly. The outbreak of this
dreadful scourge so soon after the time the foreign
embassies were settled at Yeddo had led the people
to attribute to them its introduction into their
country, and superstition points to the coincidence
as a punishment for opening Japan to foreigners.
By the latest accounts the disease was less virulent.
The Danish brig Vilhelmine, from Shanghai, arrived
on the 18th of December, and left again on the 21st,
not having been permitted to trade, in consequence
of there being no treaty between Denmark and
Japan. Another steamer, -the Nagasaki, built in
Holland for the Prince of Fizen, arrived on the 15th
of November. The Russian Consul-General and his
secretary, with their wives, were dwelling at Hako-
dadi and at lonya, on the side of the bay opposite
to Desima at Nagasaki. The merchant comman-

• COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
' The New York commercial advices of the 27th ult., not-
withstanding the receipt of advices from England to the
13th, per the City of Washington, tending to excite the
apprehension that the war in Italy could not be much longer
postponed; describe no marked change in the various mar-
kets. The market for State and Western flour continued
iragular, and prices were considered too low by holders to
induce them to sell in bulk. The quotations were—for
State, extra brands, 5 dol. 80c. to 6 dol. 20c. ; Ohio, good
and choice extra brands, 6 dol. 40c. to 7 dol. 50c. • Michigan
and Indiana,
.extra 'brands, 5 del. 85c. tel dol. 50c. ; Genes-
see, extra brands, 6 dol. 75c. to 8 dol. ; Missouri, 7 dol. to
9 dol. ; Canada, 6 dol. 40c. to 7 dol. 40c. Southern flour
was in plentiful supply, but, the market closed steadily at
previous prices. The sales of wheat had been to a fair ex-
tent, at 1-dol. 40c. to 1 dol. 45c. for winter red Western,
93c. for Chicago spring, and 1 dol. 78c. to 1 dol. 80c. for
White Kentucky. Indian corn was in fair request, at
prices lc. to 2c. higher than those of the Friday previous.

SHIPPING.
The Europa, on the 2d inst., in lat. 72 46, long. 44 2,
passed a large iceberg ; on the' 3d, in lat. 45 25, long. 45 6,
exchanged signals with the English barque 0. Blanchard,
steering west • and on the 4th, in lat. 48 8, long. 37 2, spoke
the Brit sh ship Transatlantic, bound west.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST.
A special general meeting of this Company was
held yesterday at the Bridge-house Hotel, London-
bridge, to consider a bill in compliance with the
Wharncliffe standing order to enable the company
to make certain alterations in their existing and
authorised railways, to make a new railway at
Norwood, and to purchase and take on lease other
undertakings ; and also a bill for authorising the
London and South Western Railway Company to
make new works, and to raise further funds—Mr.
L. Schuster in the chair.
The SECRETARY having read the notice conven-
ing the meeting,
The CHAIRMAN, before proceeding with the busi-
ness of the day, said it was the duty of the board
to give the shareholders an account of their stew-
ardship in respect of the contest between them
and the South Western Railway Company. He
then entered into a history of his connexion with
the company, the policy since pursued by them
with regard to other companies, and their
arrangements and agreements with the South
Western Company. He joined the Brighton about
thirteen years ago, just at the period of their
amalgamation with the Croydon Company. This
brought them into wars and difficulties with other
companies. At that time Mr. Grenfield was chair-
man of the company. On joining the beard he
(Mr. Schuster) strongly advocated a policy of peace
and conciliation, so that they might direct their
attention to the development of the traffic, and en-
deavour to live in peace with their neighbours.
That policy was adopted by the board, and acted
upon ever since. They had not gone to Parliament
for powers to interfere with any of their neigh-
bours' lines. When they went to Parliament it
was for the purpose of defending their own rights,
or to promote small branches for the accommoda-
tion of districts near their line. There were the
Hailsham and Eastbourne, the Horsham, the East
Grinstead, the Henfield, and the Mid-Sussex.
Everyone of those were feeders to their main line,
and none of them interfered with the traffic of any
other company. In 1847 they obtained a line from
Brighton to Portsmouth, and when it was on the
point of opening the South-Western proposed to
make a line from Fareham into Portsmouth. See-
ing that opposition would arise, they proposed to
the South-Western Company, who were then about
to expend £150,000 to no purpose, to become joint
proprietors of the line from Corsham to Ports-
mouth. Those propositions were adopted in Octo-
ber, 1848, and a valid agreement was entered into
between the two companies, which remained good
to the present day. He considered they had the
best line to Portsmouth, as it was almost a leveL
Some modification was made in the agreement in
1852 in respect to the Gosport traffic. In the same
year Mr. Locke, the engineer of the South-Western,
projected aline from Godalming to Havant, which
was called the Portsmouth Railway, and since the
empletion of which the cempetiton had arisen. In
the new agreement of 1852 it was stipulated that
neither company was to act separately from the
other with respect to the new scheme from Godal-
ming to Havant without the assent of both parties.
One of the clauses in the agreement of the 7th of
January, 1858, with the South-Western Company
stipulated that in the event of the Portsmouth
line being completed between Godalming
and Havant it might be purchased by
the South-Western at cost price, the receipts
going into a common purse, but that neither company
were to deal separately to purchase or lease it. He
then adverted to a long correspondence between the
two companies respecting the Portsmouth traffic,
from which it appeared that the South-Western had
expressed their determination to become sole lessees
of the Portsmouth Railway. The Brighton Com-
pany offered to become joint lessees with them, but
that was positively refused on the 30th September
last, on the ground that Parliament would not
sanction a joint lease. The Brighton Company pro-
posed to leave the whole matter to a competent re-
ference, but that was refused by the South-Western
Company. On the 2d of March the latter company
commenced to work the Portsmouth line, and thus
broke their engagements with the Brighton Com-
pany. On the 14th March the Brighton Company
Looks the steps they considered necessary with
respect to the Portsmouth traffic, and the result of
the competition had been so far satisfactory. The
Portsmouth line had bad gradients of 1 in 80 for
some miles, and could not be worked cheaply. It
would cost at least £50,000 a year to work it.
Taking the receipts and expenSes from the 14th of
March to the 7th inst. in respect of the Portsmouth
traffic, it was evident the Brighton Company had
benefited pretty well by the contest. On the 22d of
April he had received a letter from Capt. Mangles,
the chairman of the South-Western Company,
enclosing a resolution of the Board expressing an
opinion that the competition wastetrimental to the
interests of both companies, and they were ready
to raise the fares to and from Portsmouth and the.
Isle of Wight without delay. He (the chairman)
replied immediately, and suggested that a deputa-
tion of the boards of each company should meet to
arrange the terms, but had received no answer with
respect to the proposed conference. He then adverted
to the various attacks that had been made on their
line in the district through which it passed by the
South-Western Company, at Epsom and other places,
which he thought was the worst part of their differ-
ences. Those things would have to be provided for in.
any arrangement that might be made between the
two companies. He concluded by moving a formal
resolution approving the bill.
Mr. SCOTT seconded the motion.
The Solicitor read the heads of " A Bill to enable
the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway
Company to make certain alterations in their exist-
ing and authorised railways, to make a new railway
at Norwood ; to acquire additional lands for station
accommodation, and to purchase or take on lease
other undertakings, and for other purposes."
In reply to questions, it was stated that the length
of the new line at Norwood was 800 yards. The
additional capital was £lOO,OOO on shares, and
£33,000 on loan.
Mr. HEREPATH said he had gone over the line
to Portsmouth, and he understood the number of
passengers by both routes were about equal, and
they had a considerable addition to their Isle of
Wight traffic. He trusted that nothing would be
left undone to arrive at a settlement of the dispute
between the two companies as soon as possible.
Mr. ADDISON thought it all very well for direc-
tors to enter into those disputes, but the share-
holders knew nothing about them, and were never
consulted beforehand. It was utterly useless for
directors to endeavour to defeat a railway or other
measure sanctioned by Parliament. They had better
try to accommodate the public in the new district
and avoid competition. He hoped the directors of
both companies would endeavour to settle the dis-
pute

Mr. BRTGG thought that if the shareholders of
the South-Western Company had been aware that
their directors had not adhered to their agreement
with the Brighton Company they would have re-
jected the proposition for leasing and purchasing
the Portsmouth Railway.
Mr% MICHELL considered the directors of the