The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-14
From Washington.

Special Dispatch to the New York Herald.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 1859.-It is the
opinion in diplomatic circles that Admiral
Hope blundered in his recent naval attack
in China, and that Colonel Bruce exhibited
asuperclious hauteur unbecoming his Office
and his brief experience as diplomat. He
accompanied his brother, Lord Elgin, to
China, and his appointment is another in.
stance of aristocratic nepotism.
The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday was
attended by all the members of the Cabinet
except Messrs. Floyd and Holt. The john
son contract occupied portion of the time
of the council, and the dispatches received
from China by the Secretaries of State and
of the Navy were laid before it.
A telegraphic dispatch has just been re-
ceived here by the city authorities inform
ing them that Mr.. Goode, of Virginia,
brother of the late member of Congress,
and MIR. Paul, Petersburg, Virginia, edi.
tor, were on their way to this vicinity to
fight duel. The difficulty, it is said, arose
out of the contest for the seat in Congress
in the Petersburg district, Goo6e wanting
his late brothers place, and Paul being
warm partisan of Pryor, it is said, is in
favor of Douglas and his popular sovereign
ty humbug, and has managed to blind the
people of that district on this fact.
1t is said that Cornelius Wendell is to
make pilgrimage to Tennessee, to see Mr..
Etheridge about the organization of the
next Congress. He goes in behalf of the
Republican members of New York, and
with keen eye to the printing spoils. If
the Republicans can control the Southern
opposition vote in Congressional matters
and for the smaller Offices, they will strike
bargain to make Etheridge speaker.
Mr.. Guthrie, the secret agent of the
Treasury department, has gone to investi-
gate serious matter charged against the
Collector of the port of Detroit
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs, now
on an official visit to the West, expects
before his return to conclude several highly
advantageous treaties with the Indian tribes
now located in the region bordering upon
Kansas.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-The most intimate
friends of Senator Douglas authoritatively
deny the truth of the prevailing rumor that
he contemplates replying to the late review
of his Harper's Magazine article, and fur
ther say that none is to be published with
his sanction or supervision.
Although the bids for the army transport
tation have been opened, it is understood
that no contracts will be made for some
days. The Department will especially take
care that the troops in Utah shall be
promptly supplied. 1t was stated in the
advertisement inviting propo sals, that the
right would be reserved of rejecting any or
all the bids which might be offered, and this
is presumed was in view of the fact that
some might be so slow as not to insure
compliance with the public demands.
The new Commissioner of the Land Office,
an ex-member Of Congress from Tennessee,
will enter upon his duties next week.
The President will leave Washington to.
morrow or Wednesday for Wheatland, for
a brief sojourn.
Mr.. Lisbon was today formally received
by the President as minister from Brazil.
The Postmaster General has returned and
resumed bis duties to-day.