The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-01
INTERESTING WASHINGTON NEWS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.
Mr.. E. Kingman, formerly M. G. from
South Carolina, read letter to-day, stating
positively that Fort Sumter will be taken
at whatever cost, before the 4th of March.
The same letter also states that South
Carolina will demand from Montgomery
Convention guarantee of free trade, and
that she and other cotton states will oppose
any import duties higher than per cent.
Mr.. Brown, late editor of the ConStitt-
ton, has been deputized by the seeding
states to inform the Federal Government of
the election of Jefferson Davis. He will
not be recognized.
Mr. Lincoln will occupy temporarily the
dwelling on Franklin Sqnare lately occu.
pied by the South Carolina Commissioners
Recent proceedings in Montgomery have
led the border states to talk of separate
conlederacy for themselves, in case they se~
cede.
Republicans of both Houses are prepared
to vote unanimously in favor of national
convention to settle difficulties.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.
states are continually asking whether they
will be paid as heretofore, to which the
Post Office Department responds affirma.
lively, stating that drafts will be issued to
them on the Post Master General, to be
paid from the Postal revenue collected with
in these states. The Post Master General
has removed the route agent between Graf
ton and Parkersburg, Virginia, on the
ground that be left his business without per-
mission, to engage in the secession move
ments in that State. Several Post Mas
tiers in Kentucky and Tennessee have beer
removed tor similar cause.
Mr.. Lincoln's speeches continue to be the
theme of comment in all circles here. They
are regarded as failures, not only in states
manship and ability, but in failing to meet
the great and vital issues now convulsing
the country. He has fallen immensely in
the estimation of even his own party.
The position taken by the Republicans
on the force bill has led many here to des-
pair of a peaceful settlement. Coercion,
or the forced collection OF the revenues in
the seeded states, means war with them,
and will be so met. 1t is said that Mr. Bu-
chanan will veto every measure of Congress
looking to coercion. He does not include
the building of the seven sloopsof-war in
this.
1t is stated that Miss Harriet Lane has
courteously invited Mrs. Lincoln to accept
the inequalities of the White House imme-
diately on her arrival here, in order that
she may become familiar with the internal
management of big house like that of the
Presidential mansion.
A special building is being erected at
Washington for the ten dollar Inauguration
ball. The building will be situated in the
rear of the City Hall, and is to be $50 feet
long and 60 feet wide, with supper rooms
attached of the same length of the main
building, 25 feet wide. The height will be
% feet. 1t will be frame building, the
dancing floor will be constructed of North
Carolina pine. The building will be cover
ed with felt roffing and lined inside with
white muslin, or red, white and blue, to be
hereafter determined by the committee of
arrangements. The orchestra will be large
enough to accommodate sixty musicians.
The main hall will be capable of holding
eight thousand persons. The building will
cost, when finished, $4,000; upholstery,
81 900; supper, $4,000, including wines /;
music supposed to be Dodworths 81 200 ;
gass fitting, chandeliers, &C., $500, door
keepers, attendants upon dressing rooms,
ball, incidental expenses, &C., $50O-Total
1850.
The Peace Conference will, according to
present indications, take a final vote on
pending propositions on February 22d,
Washington's birthday. For the first time
flag staff has been erected on the War
Department building for the display of the
national flag.
The select committee of FIVE on the Pres
ident's message transmitted to Congress
January eighth, will make report to.mor-
row relative to the stationing of vessels,
ETC., saying that the defence of the Atlantic
coast has been greatly neglected and con.
GLIDING with resolution censuring the
Secretary of the Navy, for, as they charge,
accepting without delay or inquiry, the res.
ignation of officers who were In arms
against the Government, when rendering
the same. 1t has been ascertained that a
larger number of vessels are aaoat now than
for the last twenty years, and other vessels
may be fitted out during three or four com.
ing weeks. There is, however, q deficiency
of lieutenants,f midshipmen, masters and
medical officers, as we'll as seameu-the law
limiting the last named to $500 men.