The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-04

When 10, Stuproer's name led all the rest.
LEER HUNT.
New Governor of South Carolina.
Colonel Francis w. Pickens. who has
Just been elected Governor of South Caro-
lima, is q native of that State, and is about
fifty years of age. He has been in public
life for the last twenty years, and represent
ed his native State in Congress from 1885
to l845, during which period he enjoyed
the entire confidence OF his constituents,
and was regarded as one of the leading
spirits in the national legislature. The po-
sition to which he has just been elevated
has naturally attracted towards him the
eyes of the whole country, for there is no
Disgusting the fact that upon bis acts de.
pend to great extent the peace, and, it
it may be, the perpetuity of the republic.
Colonel Pickens is man OF no ordinary
ability, and no one has ever questioned his
courage or resolution. He was Q particular
favorite of Calhoun, and enjoyed the conf
dence and personal friendship of South
Cardinals greatest son. He was among
the most ardent advocates of notification,
and it is almost needless to say that he is
at present an uncompromisiDg States rights
man. An anecdote is related of him as
having occurred during the notification ex-
citement, which, as it is particularly illus
trative of his character, deserves to be told
here. At meeting the remark was made
that the occasion was one that might excite
fears and apprehension, when Col. Pickens
is alleged to have replied as follows:
Fear! fear! Mr.. President, was born
insensible to fear. a .cl
Such is one of the traits in the character
of the man who has been elected at the
present critical juncture to control for good
or ill the destinies of south Carolina.
The name OF Pickens is one of the most
celebrated in the Revolutionary history of
our country. General Pickens, the grand
father of the subject of the present sketch,
rendered most efficient service in the war of
Independence. He commanded at the i'm
portant battle of Cowpens-a battle which,
like that of Trenton, is regarded as the turn
ing point in the fortune OF the conflict, and
both of which were fought about the same
time. No purer or more disinterested pa
triot lived than General Pickens, and none
deserved better OF his country. No person.
al sacrifice appeared too great for him, and
when Congress offered to pay the expenses
he had incurred in the cause of bis country
he refused to accept any thing in the way
of compensation or otherwise. Col. Pick
ems, the father Of the present Governor OF
South Carolina, had command in the war
of 1912. but was never engaged in active
service. i--
We have stated that Col. Pickens repre-
sented for period of ten years his native
State in the national legislature; but he has
occupied other exalted public positions Of
confidence and trust President Polk ten
dered him the post of Minister to st. james,
which he declined and be also declined an
appointment from President Tyler as Min,
lister to the French Court. He accepted,
however, the important post OF Minister to
the Court of St. Petersburg, where his
courteous, frank and manly bearing won him
the esteem and respect Of every one. He
was special favorite with the Gar, from
whom be received many marks of attention.
He represented the United States at the
Muscovite Court for the last two years, and
was recalled only at his own request, arriv-
ing in this country few weeks ago. An
incident is related as having occurred DUR
ing his ministerial career which the prOpO.
, gandists of Abolitionism might read with
profit, if not with pleasure. His servant
man Tom, an old negro about sixty.fve
years of age, stands in relation to him of a
confident and friend, more than that of a
slave. When Colonel Pickens received his
appointment, the news of which, by the way,
reached him at the same time with the in
telligence OF his confirmation by the Senate,
he said to his faithful old servant
3 "Now. Tom, have been appointed as
) Minister to Russia. 1t is q very cold, a very
bad climate for you. On my way there, I'll
have to pass through the State of New
York and also through England, where
you'll be q free man, and if you have de-
sire to leave me you will have an opportu-
. nifty to do so. If you would rather, go to
Russia, Tom, you can go, but it appears to
me you would enjoy yourself better If you
stay at home. But you can do as you
please" i''' 'iA'.i''j,t- 1' - l9Fe'
"Master Colonel Pickens," said the faith.
ful old fellow, "Master Colonel Pickens,
your father. and my old master, died in my
arms on the banks Of the Mississippi; l
i took from his pocket thirteen hundred dol.
lars in money and his'gold watch, and I let
nobody know it, and came on foot
through the woods and brought it safely to
d you in Carolina know, master; and il
Z you die in Russia, you shall die in my arms
like your father. s''" f-'''' 'i's - So
7aa So Tom went to st. Petersburg. and be
was the head man at the door on all state
! occasions, and acquitted himself with all the
e dignity due to his position. When Col.
Pickens was about to leave st. Petersburg
he said to his old servant, "Tona, am
going through Germany, and Iwant to send
courier with very important dispatches
to our Minister, Mr. Dallas, in London.
Now, Tom, I shall make you courier; you