The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13
The Secretary congratulates the country

Au0 0eCi0soiy wig oVui0U0o Sn0 SO~J
upon the strength Of our institutions, as
shown by this popular exhibition. He also
pays tribute to the creditable degree OF
discipline Of the army. he proceeds:
The conspiracy against the Government
extended over an area of 733, LA square
miles, possessing coast line of 1923 miles
and shore line of 24,414 miles, with an
interior boundary line of 1851 miles in
length. This conspiracy stripped us OF
arms and ammunitions, and scattered our
navy to the most distant quarters OF the
globe. The effort to restore the Union,
which the Government entered on in April
last, was the most gigantic endeavor in the
history of civil war. The interval of seven
months has been spent in preparation.
BULL RUN.
The history of this rebellion, in common
with all others, for obvious causes, records
the first successes in favor of the insurgents.
The disaster of Bull Run was but the natu-
raj consequence of the premature advance
of our brave but undisciplined troops, which
the impatience of the country demanded.
The betrayal also of our movements by
traitors in our midst enabled the rebels to
choose and intrench their position, and by a
reinforcement in great strength at the mos
ment OF victory, 10 snatch it from our
grasp. This reverse, however, gave no dis
couragement to our gallant people; they
have crowded into our ranks, and although
large numbers have been necessarily reject
ed, mighty army in invincible array stands
eager to precipitate itself upon the foe.
The check that we have received upon the
Potomac has therefore but postponed the
campaign for few months. The other
successes of the rebels, though dearly won,
were mere affairs, with no important or per-
manent advantages The possession of
Western Virginia and the occupation of
Hatteras and Beaufort, have nobly redeem
ed our transient reverses.
THE BORDER STATES.
At the date of my last report the States
of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and
Missouri were threatened with rebellion. In
Delaware, the good sense and patriotism of
the people have triumphed over the unholy
schemes of the traitors. The people of
Kentucky early pronounced themselves, by
an unequivocal declararation at the ballot
beK, in favor of the Union and Maryland,
Notwithstanding the efforts of bad men in
power in the city of Baltimore, when the
opportunity of general election was af-
forded, under the lead of the brave and pa
triotic Governor, rebuked by an overwhelm~
ing majority the traitors who would have
led her to destruction. In Missouri loys
al State government has been established
by the people, thousands of whom have
rallied to the support of the Federal au-
thority, and, in conjunction with troops
from other portions of the country, have
forced the rebels to retire into the adjoin-
ing State. The government established in
Virginia by the loyal portion of her popu~
lation is in successful operation, and have
no doubt will be sustained by the people OF
the entire State whenever the thraldom of
the rebel forces shall have been removed.
I respectfully suggest that authority
should be given to the President to send
commissioners with the army, with power
to exercise all the functions of local gov
ernment wherever the civil authority has
ceased to exist, and especially to enforce the
obligations of contracts, and the collection
of debts due to loyal creditors.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF ARMS.
Upon this subject the Secretary says:
The Armory IF Harper's Ferry having
been destroyed to prevent its possession and
use by the rebels,the Government was COM
PEELED to rely upon the single armory at
Springfield and upon private establishments
for supply of arms. Every effort has been
made to increase the capacity of that ar
mory, the greatest product of which, prior
to these troubles, had never exceeded 800
muskets per month. In charge of an erer-
getic and able ordnance officer, the force
being doubled and operations vigorously
prosecuted day and night, there were made
at this establishment during the past month
of October, total of $500 muskets; and
it is confidently expected that 10000 will
be manufactured during the present month.
On recent visit, with a view to enlarge
the capacity of the armory, l directed the
purchase OF large quantity of machinery
already, which, when put in operation, will
enable this establishment to produce during
the next year, 100000 stand of the justly
celebrated Springfield rifles. respectfully
suggest the recommendation of liberal ap
preparation by Congress for the purpose OF
yet further increasing the capacity of this
armory, believing that it can be made sufi,
cient to supply all the muskets and rifles
which the Government may hereafter need
in any contingency. Located in healthy
country, in the midst of an industrious and
ingenious people, where competent work.
men can always be obtained without diff.
Guilty, and sufficiently near to all the NATE
rails needed in the manufacture of arms, it
is at the same time accessible to every part
of the country by water and railway CONF
munication.
After having made contracts for arms
with the private establishments in this coun
try, it was deemed necessary by the Presi-
dent, to insure speedy and ample supply,
to send a special agent to Europe with
funds to the amount of two millions Of dol
lars to purchase more. am gratifed to
state that be has made arrangements for a
large number of arms, part of which have
already been delivered. The remainder
will be shipped by successive steamers until
all shall have been received.
Combination among manufacturers, inn
porters, and agents, for the sale of arms,
howe IN voanv caaoc causad an undup in,