The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-18
BY TELEGRAPH
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
Mass Meeting OF MethOdisfs i'm
New York.
Interview Between Minister Dayton and
Drouyn de LHuys.
Meeting in aid Of the Atlantic Telegraph
Company.
FIRE AND INJURY OF FIVE PERSONS.
Donations from Americans in
Chilli.
Mass Meeting Of MethOdists in
New York.
Enthusiastic Reception of Gen. Wool 10
Connecticut.

New YORK, March II.
There was a mass meeting of Methodists in
John Street Church yesterday afternoon. to
consider the subject of lay representation.
Hiram Forrest was appointed Chairman and
Mark Hoyt Secretary. Among the Vice
Presidents were Daniel Drew, A. V. Steret,
d. l.. Ross and Z. l.. Fancher. Eloquent adj
dresses in favor of lay representation were
made by Bishop Simpson, Senator Wright of
Indiana, Rev. Mr.. Hatfield, Rev. Mr.. Deubin
and others. Strongly worded resolutions urg-
ing the speedy adoption Of the system of lay
representation were passed unanimously, and
a convention of Methodist laymen called for
May l3th in this city. The action OF the
meeting was entirely harmonious, and no dis
sentng voice was heard as to the proprety or
expediency of the step proposed to be taken.
Washington letter in the Commercial says
dispatches have been received at the State
Department from Minister Dayton, stating
that he had an interview with the French
Foreign Minister, to whom he read Mr.. Sew
ards letter declining mediation. NJ. Drouyn
de L'Huys listened with marked attention,
but made no comment of any sort.
A meeting held at the Produce Exchange
to-day in aid of the Atlantic Telegraph Co,
was addressed by Cyrus w. Field, w. E.
Dodge and A. A. Low, Esqs. Fifteen hundred
and fifty pounds sterling were raised on the
spot. and a committee was appointed to act in
concert with the committee OF the Chamber of
Commerce, in obtaining subscriptions. No
doubt large sum will be raised among this
class of citizens. Mr.. Field, by invitation, ad-
dresses the Stock Exchange tomorrow.
The steamer City of Boston resumes her
place on the Norwich line tomorrow after
noon, and will run alternate days with the
City of New York.
A fire to- day in a small dwelling on Third
Avenue, Brooklyn, occupied by Peter Fian-
merry, was produced by an explosion of guam
tity of powder which the inmates were en-
deavoring to dry by the stove. Five persons
were badly burned.
Steamer Champion, from Aspinwall sth, has
arrived, with few passengers and s250,OOO in
treasure.
The sum Of $4,000 has been sent to the San
itary Commission for the benefit OF sick and
wounded soldiers, by Americans in Chilli
The visit of Gen. Wool to Connecticut was
made the occasion for quite turnout of the
patriotic loyalists on the route, amounting to
quite an ovation. At BRIDGEPORT, and all the
stations, the crowds insisted upon the old war
rior saying few words to them, but he de-
clined, promising to acknowledge their kind
ness on his return. At New Haven he was
welcomed by an immense concourse of citi-
zens, where he aud his staff were Joined by
Gov. Buckingham and proceeded to the May
or's Office, where the party were officially well
coined by that functonary. A visit was made
to the light house, where plans for new fort
to be erected in that vicinity were inspected,
together with the topography Of the ground,
&c. Gov. Buckingham and staff afterwards
accompanied the General to New London,
where further inspections of other localities
will be made with a view to terrifying the
mouth of the Thames river more impregnably
than at present. The inspecting party Is re-
ceiving great attention from the citizens of
that State