The Sun. — 1859-05-10 (London, England)

THE MILITIA. Two companies of the Waterford Militia Artillery, at present stationed in Edinburgh, are under orders to join head-quarters in the Isle of Wight, where they will arrive on the 4th inst.  An extraordinary meeting was then held to consider the propriety of purchasing the West-end and Crystal Palace Railway between Battersea and Norwood.  The CHAIRMAN considered it of great importance to the Brighton Railway Company. The whole of tho liabilities would be £19,180 for the first year, and £23,600 a-year for the following 4 years ; then they would have the addition of 4 per cent. to pay on £220,000 original capital, making, at the end of five and a half years, £32,400 a-year. Against those amounts the Brighton Company now paid £4,000 a-year for toll, and after deducting the working expenses they had handed over £13,500 to the West End Company for the net traffic of last year. The East Kent Company would have to pay them £B,OOO a-year for passing over the line, these together made £25,000 a-year. There was the development of the local traffic and other matters that would cover the whole amount. Mr. BELL said if the East Kent were unable or unwilling to complete the Farnborough extension, the dividends of the line they were about to purchase would be stopped until it was completed. They must be very careful indeed, or they would be led into a difficulty. He would nevertheless give his cordial assent to the measure. The CHAIRMAN thanked Mr. Bell for the information he had given them, and said it would be attended to.  A formal resolution authorising the purchase of the West End Railway was then carried unanimously, and the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.  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 " Chevalier" 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. A draught for 19,000 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 Paraguyan 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 reports that affairs in the latter territory were anything but satisfactory. The ill-feeling had reached its culminating point, and the people were on the eve of open hostilities. Differences also existed between '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 impossible to exercise their functions, the grand jury refusing 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 Cumming had itsued a proclamation, taking part with the Mormon sentiment.  By telegram from New Orleans we have the following Mexican intelligence : "