The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-03

6CrODS IOICo VI OulteO Ot8ttS 1nIdutry oOluicTS
artillery gun was taken across the north
draw, and placed in position to rake the
bridge, and sentries were stationed far be-
yond.
There is q great demand for -four this
morning and the prices have gone up from
$3.50 to $12, according to grade. Some
of the merchants say they have none except
for their own family use.
A telegraphic wire has been carried into
the executive mansion, connecting with the
main lines to the various sections of the
country.
A Washington letter, in the Alexandria
Sentinel, secession paper, dated 2lst, has
the following items:
The government has taken possession of
map gotten up at great expense by the
levy court of the county of Washington
which contains an exact plot of the county,
and on it is marked every bill, ravine, road,
rock and post, so that, by the position of it,
they may be able to place sentinel under
every tree and in every house in the district
Men are out at all hours of the day and
right, accommodating on the heights around
Washington and Georgetown, and piquets
ride beyond the Virginia line.
An officer of the army well known to be
proficient in raising breastworks has ar
rived and was in consultation with General
Scott yesterday.
The capitol has been converted into
regular barracks. A large body of men are
engaged in throwing up breastworks made
of barrels of cement, heavy iron castings,
and other weighty materials used in the
extension work. The Massachusetts regi-
ment, several companies of Pennsylvania
troops, and also some of our city military,
in all numbering over fifteen hundred troops,
are quartered in the building.
From the Baltimore Exchange. April g.
1t will be remembered that, on Saturday
last, Hon. Anthony Kennedy and j. Nor
rison Harris had an interview with Presi-
dent Lincoln, when the following conversa-
tion took place between them:-Mr. Harris
having announced the object of their visit
to be to prevent further bloodshed, and to
obtain recall of the orders issued for the
movement of the troops, Mr.. Lincoln, re-
ferring to the visit Of Messrs. Dobbin,
Bruno and Bond, and the answer which he
had made to their representations, added,
"My God, Mr.. Harris, I don't know what
to make of your people. You have sent
me one committee already, and they seemed
to be perfectly satisfied with what I said
to them" Mr.. Harris replied that he
knew nothing about that; be came
as citizen and a representative to
state facts as they actually existed, and to
say that the attempt to send any more
troops through Maryland would only lead
to battle, and very sanguinary battle.
Mr.. Lincoln answered, My God, sir, what
am I to do? l had better 60 out and hang
myself on the first tree come to, than give
up the power of the federal government in
this way. l don't want to 60 through
your town, or near it, if can help it; but
l must have the troops here to relieve our.
selves, or we shall die like rats in trap. u
He further expressed some surprise at the
action of Mr.. Harris, and was disposed to
tax him with the abandonment of mis- Union
principles. Mr.. Harris answered the Pres
ident that he was still Union man, but he
had come to state facts, and to represent to
the President the sentiments of the people,
as it was one of universal opposition to the
passage of any Northern troops across the
soil of Maryland. Mr.. Seward, interposing,
drew Mr.. Harris aside to window, and
pointing to the bluffs of Arlington, asked
Mr.. H. if be knew that on the top of that
hill the Virginians might plant battery,
and that they would not know at what mo-
ment shell might burst in that very room.
General Scott, who was present, also ex-
pressed the fopinion that it might be abso-
lutely necessary for the troops to cut their
way through Maryland for the relief of the
federal capital.
The interruption of communication be-
tween New York and Washington has Sc
riously embarrassed some of the Washing
ton banks, which, having paid out all their
specie for Northern checks and drafts, have
no means of making exchange, and replen-
ishing their Golfers.
Flour at Washington has gone up from
SIP so 20 500 per barrel. Government
supplies the laboring classes from the stock
seized at Georgetown at the rate of 81 30.
Groceries of all descriptions have gone up
20 per cent, and in some cases still more,
from the fear that the war will cut off sup.
plies. Dealers will only sell such articles
as -four and bacon to their regular custom
ers, and these only in limited quantities
Corn meal sells at 81 per bushel hams
from 16 to 20 cants per pound.