The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-05

AARON GOODRICH has been confirmed
as Secretary of Legation to Belgium.
In debate in the Senate, Mr.. RICE
of Minnesota, was in favor Of giving up
Forts Sumpter and Pickens, as points of no
military Importance, but would never give
up the Fortugas or Key West Fortifca-
tions, as they were necessary for our own
protection in the Gulf of Mexico, and the
protection of the free navigation of the
Mississippi river. The position he took in
the debate is undoubtedly the correct one,
and will be sustained, even in the event of
the acknowledgment of the independence
of the Southern Confederacy--to which
public opinion is rapidly tending.
JOHN w. NORTH, of Mortified, has re-
ceived the appointment of Surveyor Of
Nevada Territory. 1t may be lucrative
Office, but is bar to further promotion
here, which will crafty some of the politi-
clans. .a
CLARK w. THOMPSON has received the
appointment of Indian Superintendent.
-JEFFERsoN DAVIS is calling out large
bodies Of troops, but for what purpose, can
only be copjectured.
SAM HoUsToN and the Secretary of
State of Texas, violently denounced, at
Austin, the Southern Confederacy, and q
despatch states that portion Of the Unit
ed States troops in Texas are to be subject
to the order of Houston in sustaining the
State Government, of which he was the
head.
The Senate adjourned Thursday, with
out action on the Douglas or Breckenridge
resolutions. No nomination was sent in
for judge of the Supreme Court.
CARL SCHURz has at last got the ap.
pointment of Minister to Spain. CAss1Us
M. CLAY goes to Russia.
Dispatches to the New York papers
state that orders were given to reinforce
Fort Pickens, but this is denied in des-
patch from Washington.
The Secretary Of the Navy has sum-
moned Com. SrR1NGHAN to Washington on
special duty, for the purpose of ordering and
detailing the officers, directing the recruits,
arranging the complement of ships, and
directing other matters relating to the eff
cheney and discipline of the service. This
movement is considered very judicious, as it
fixes the responsibility upon an officer of
acknowledged worth, of regulating deli
cate part of the service with which no new
Secretary could possibly be familiar.
There is no truth in the rumor that the
Administration and the Southern commits
sioners have agreed upon an armistice often
days. No understanding exists between
them, and neither have decided what course
to pursue. -aa. ~ ..ta naa .1a..
"A despatch received in New York city
from st. Louis, announcing that foreign
goods are beginning to arrive there, free of
duty, via New Orleans has thrown Man.
haitian into fever of excitement.
Hon. GEORGE w. SUMMER, of Vir-
ginia, has telegraphed to the President FROM
the Virginia Convention, urging an imme.
date call of an extra session of Congress
and the adoption of conciliatory measures.
A fair canvass of the Convention shows
that only three votes ale wanting to pass
the ordinance Of secession.
The long standing dispute with Great
Britain about the Island of San Juan, in
Vancouver's Sound, is likely to be referred,
at the suggestion of the British Govern
ment, to Switzerland for arbitration. Great
Britain proposed to refer it to Sweden,
Holland, or Switzerland, and the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations has re-
ported in favor of accepting Switzerland
as mediator. ....
England, France and Spain are about
to send powerful fleets of war steamers to
the coast of the United, or rather the Con-
federate States. 1t is measure of no par
ticular significance, it being the practice
usually where disorders are apprehended.
JOHN G. PALFERY, formerly Unitarian
clergyman, and afterwards member of Con-
gress, has been appointed Postmaster Of
Boston. ,-s.3l2 $3.50 a'-a H3ti W
1t is said that orders have been sent
West for the confscation of all goods intro.
duced into the Southern ports, without The
payment of United States duties.
What will Virginia do? is again thu
great question. The Administration takes
great interest in the movements Of her Con.
vention, as is evinced by its sending MIR
LAMox to Richmond, 1t is stated that on
Friday distinguished delegate of the Vir
GINA Convention telegraphed MIR. LINCOLN
to the following import :mThat the tide o
is.A Il