Northern Times. — 1859-05-10 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

AMERICA.  ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPA  The Cunard mail steamer Europa, Capt. J. Leitch, arrived yesterday afternoon from New York, which port she left on the 27th ult. She brings 106 passengers and $532,424 in specie. Mr. Sickles has been acquitted of the murder of Mr. Key, the seducer of his wife, at Washington. A two o'clock on the 26th ult., the case went to the jury, who, after retiring for an hour, brought in a verdict of " Not Guilty." " This is just what we predicted," say the New York Herald, " nearly two months ago, in the first article we published on the subject, when the homicide occurred. But looking back over the course pursued by counsel on both sides during this judicial investigation— their gladiatorial exhibitions, their long-winded legal dissertations, their subtle, hair-splitting mystifications, their self-contradictions and ridiculous fooleries, which, spun out for • twenty-three days, with all sorts of variations, were sufficient to confuse and bewilder any twelve honest, unsophisticated men —we have had our doubts as to the result during the progress of the trial, and we now regard it as really wonderful that the strong common sense of the jury triumphed over such difficulties, and, looming out of the fog with which they were surrounded, not only came to a definite conclusion, but rendered, after so short a consultation, a verdict in full accordance with public opinion. No thanks to the counsel for this denouement of the tragedy, for never was a trial so botched and bungled before. It is to the sound understanding and firmness of the jury, and not to the wisdom of the lawyers, that this verdict of substantial justice is due, and there can be little doubt that these twelve sensible men had made up their minds at an early stage of the trial, which might as well have been despatched in three days, as forced to drag its slow length along for three weeks." From Washington we learn that the navy department had received voluminous despatches from Commodore Conover, of the African squadron, dated Porto Praya, March 12. The sloop-of-war Vincennes, and the flag-ship of the squadron, were at that port, and the Dale was shortly expected. The slave trade, as usual, was being carried on extensively. Quite a number of captures had been made, both by American anti English cruisers. The health of the officers was good. Senor Mata, the Mexican Minister, had not yet arrived. He telegraphed Secretary Cass, on the receipt of his despatch at New Orleans, that he intended to proceed to Washington immediately. Senor Mata was authorised by Juarez to negotiate certain treaties, which, when he returns here, will probably be laid before our government. They are, in many aspects, important to the United States, both in a commercial and postal point of view. The first fruits of the Paraguay expedition have just reached Washington. The State Department had received a draft for ten thousand dollars, as an indemnification to the family of the seaman who was killed on board the Water Witch. News from Utah, received by the Overland California mail, indicates an alarming condition of affairs in the territory. The ill-feeling between the Mormons on one side, and the army and the " Gentiles " on the other, has reached a point at which it seems impossible to prevent a serious collision. A misunderstanding has also arisen between Gov. Cumming and Gen. Johnston, in reference to their respective powers, and an open