St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-10-03
Late and Interesting from New
Orleans.

We had a long conversation yesterday
with very intelligent man, who has resi-
ded in New Orleans for number OF years,
and left there only ten davs since. For
obvious reasons we do not publish his
name, but his statements may be relied
on.
He says that there are now about four
thousand troops in the city. There is no
drafting, and there has been none, except
the illegal impressments carried on by the
captains Of volunteer organizations. The
interference Of the British Consul some
time since, by which about sixty of Queen
Victoria's subjects were rele ased, render
cd kidnapping unpopular. The rumor of
an intended attack by the United States
troops, agitates the community as often as
once a week, and deiig ghts full half of
the population. Our informant believes
that nearly all the mechanics and laboring
men are :or the Union, and a majority ot
the merchants also.
Many Of the latter were originally seces.
sionists, but the blockade and consequent
utter prostration of business has made
them painfully conscious of their error
Many stories have been closed for want of
goods to sell, and other large houses will
soon close. The city could easily be taken
by force of 10000 men by way OF the
lower rive" or Lake Poncharttaiu, and the
detenses northward consist Of My few
rude breastworks which have not yet been
mounted with guns. as before said
large proportion Of the people are disgust
ed with rebellion, and there is now NJ
boasting except from prominent few OF
jeff Davis oHiceholders. 1t is little
significant that the Pticuyune, late CON-
vert to secessionis,n, is the chief reliance
Of the people for news, crowds visiting
that Office III preference to the original
traitor sheets, the Delta and Crcscent.-
The blockade has been rigidly carried out.
For long time not a single vessel has
passed it, the reports Of the Southern pa
pers to the contrary Notwithstanding.
In spite Of the general belief the city
cannot be defended, lew ardent rebels
are conniviug plans for the destruction OF
the blockadiug fleet. A floating dock has
been cut down, which it is expected will
be finished in three or four wee ks, though
our informant, who is good judge, says
it will not be completed under as many
months. This is to be made iuto tormid-
able floating battery. A sort OF submarine
affair has also been constructed, shaped
like cigar, drawing thirteen feet of water,
while only seven are above the surface
1t is one hundred and five feet long, aud
covered with thick iron plates, with spikes
ut the bow and stern. 1t is caimcd that
this can be run into the blockuding vessels
and sink them. Mr.. Stevens, i cotton
merchant. who is the protector, is conf
deut Of its success, but the Governors en-
gineers, after trial the other day, cx-
pressed their opinion that it would prove
au entire failure.
4: will be inferred ftcin the statements
:, r,c,,,! -! to business given above, great
distress G prevails. Thousands are out Of
emnloyment, and free market has been
mt in operation. :: It is open twice week,
and about four thousand people get their
Supplies t:::n, it. Beet. M ths = aesa OF the
miserable Texas cats.cc, IS sue tue o"'y t,''h m.h'
for sale, and even this is source an~ ''s"'
There are no hogs in market. Nine bar
rels Of pork were sold on Monday week tor
$4O,45 each. Butter brings from 6O to
IS cents per pound, Other, articles are as
follows: Powder, 81 - x2,75; lead 81 TO-
! 81 10; tin, $30 to. $25 per box. Sole
isItLny. s.."7 N * Qk ranfs ~ enotiiid -