The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-19 00:00:00

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.
NEW YORK, July 7.
The following letter was received by the Tam-
many Society of Democrats, in answer to an invi-
tation to be present at their celebration of the 4th
of July :

" Executive Mansion, Washington, July 2.
" Gentlemen,—l thank you for the cordial invi-
tation of the time-honoured Society of Tammany
to participate with them in the celebration of the
approaching anniversary of our National Indepen-
dence. The national tone and patriotic spirit of the
invitation meet my hearty approval. They are in-
dications of a growing public sentiment, which, now
that the bitter strife of civil war has ceased, re-
quires a renewal of the pursuits of peace, a return
to the constitution of our fathers ; rigid adherence
to its principles ; increased reverence for its sacred
obligations; a restored, invigorated, and permanent
Union; and a fraternity of feeling that shall snake us,
as a people, one and indissoluble. There can be for
the patriot no higher duty, no nobler work than
the obliteration of the passions and prejudices
which, resulting from our late sanguinary conflict,
have retarded reconciliation and prevented that
complete restoration of all the States to their con-
stitutional relations with the Federal Government,
which is essential to the peace, unity, strength,
and prosperity of the nation.
" Regretting that my public duties will not per-
mit me to be present at your celebration,
"I am, very respectfully yours,
"ANDREW JOHNSON."
The Fourth of July was observed in the customary
manner throughout the Northern States ; but not
with much enthusiasm in the South, so far as heard
from. The freedmen, however, in some sections,
indulged in great rejoicing. No disturbance of the
peace is reported.
The following is the address of the Conservative
members of Congress in favour of the proposed
National Convention at Philadelphia :
" To the People of the United States.—Dangers
threaten the Constitution ; the citadel of our liber-
ties is directly assailed. The future is dark unless
the people come to the rescue. In this hour of peril
national union should be the watchword of every
man. As essential to national union, we must
maintain unimpaired the rights, dignity, and equality
of the States, including their right of representation.
After a uniform construction of the Constitution
for more than half a century, the assumption of new
and arbitrary powers in the Government is subver-
sive of our system and destructive of liberty. At
present eleven States are excluded from the National
Council. For seven long months Congress has per•
sistently denied them representation. Laws affect
ing their highest interest have been passed withou
their consent, and in disregard of the principles o
free government.

" The representatives of nearly one-third of the
States have not been consulted in relation to the
great questions of the day. There has been no
nationality surrounding the present Congress.
There has been no intercourse between the repre-
sentatives of the two sections producing mutual
confidence and respect. In the language of the
Lieutenant-General, it is to be regretted that there
cannot be a greater commingling between the citi-
zens of the two sections, particularly of those in-
trusted with the law-making power.' This state of
things should be removed at once and for ever.
Therefore we cordially approve the call for a Na-
tional Union Convention, to be held at Philadelphia
on the 14th of August next. We respectfully but
earnestly urge our fellow-citizens in every State
and territory in the interest of the Union and har-
mony, and in direct reference to the principles in-
volved in this call, to act promptly in the selection
of wise, moderate, and Conservative men, to repre-
sent them in said Convention, to the end that all
the States shall be at once restored to the Union,
the Constitution be maintained. and peace bless the
whole country." Signed by Riverdy Johnson,
James Guthrie, and forty others.
The great fire at Portland, Maine, has been one
of the most disastrous that ever occurred in this
country. The entire business portion of the city
is in ashes, and the loss estimated to reach at least

ten million dollars. Fifty buildings were blown
up to check the progress of the flames, which
raged for twelve hours, destroying a section half
a mile in width and over a mile in length. Ten
or twelve thousand people were rendered homeless,

and have been quartered for the present intents
or upon the generosity of those whose habitations
escaped. All the newspaper offices, banks, in-
surance companies, and wholesale stores have been
destroyed. Subscription lists have been opened
for the relief of the sufferers throughout the coun-
try. Firemen from adjacent towns aided the

Portland force, but a high wind carried the flames
through the city in spite of all their efforts.
Senator Lane, of Kansas, who attempted suicide
last week, is yet alive, and his surgeon has hopes of
his recovery. The ball passed through his head.
General Lane is conscious, and has recovered his
speech.

George Peabody has donated one hundred thou-
sand dollars to the South Danvers Institute, Mas-
sachusetts. Mr. Peabody is about to make a tour
of the Canadas.

Canadian journals state that the Ministerial crisis
in England has materially damaged the prospects of
confederation throughout the provinces.
The Washington correspondent of the Herald
states that General Grant has declared that he will
not accept any nomination for the Presidency for
the next term at least.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 24.
Advices from the seat of war are to the 18th
inst. No more fighting had taken place, but sick-
ness was making sad ravages in the army, the hos-
pitals in Corrientes were full of sick and wounded,
and the number was daily increasing. ,The 2d
Corps, under General Porto Alegre, was to join the
allies very shortly, and as it is 13,000 strong, prin-
cipally cavalry, of which there is great want in the
Ist Corps—it is expected that as soon it arrives
something will be done. The conviction is daily
gaining ground that Mitre is incapable of handling
a large army ; at the battle of Fuyuty on the 24th
May, General Ozorio virtually commanded.
The fleet can do nothing till the army can ope-
rate.

Altogether the news is anything but satisfactory.
In consequence of the commercial crisis, Mr.
Paula Louza, the Minister of Agriculture and Com-
merce, brought forward a bill authorising Govern-
ment to permit the Bank to exceed the legal issue
by eight thousand contos of reis to assist commer-
cial firms, besides an unlimited amount for the trea-
sury. The bill met with a great deal of opposition,
and, after passing the second reading, its adjourn-
ment for 48 hours was proposed by M. Paula Louza.
The bill will probably be withdrawn, as things are
now more calm, and the worst is over.