The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13
tenant General Winfield Scott voluntarily
alnl ] Il


relinquished his high command as general
in-chief OF the American army. He had
faithfully and gallantly served his country
for upwards of half century, and the glory
OF bis achievements has given additional
lustre to the brightest pages of our national
annals. The affections of grateful people
follow him into his retirement. The Presi-
dent Immediately conferred the command
of the army upon the officer next in rank.
Fortunately for the country, Major Gener-
al Mcclellan had proved himself equal to
every situation in which his great talents
had been called into exercise. His brilliant
achievements in Western Virginia, the un.
firing energy and cOnsummate ability be has
displayed in the organization and discipline
of an entirely new army, have justly won
for him the confidence and applause OF the
troops and OF the nation.
LABORs OF THE DEPARTMENT..
Extraordinary labor, energy and talent
have been required of the various bureaus
of this department to provide for the wants
of our immense army. While errors may
have been occasionally committed by sub.
ordinates, and while extravagant prices
have undoubtedly in some cases. controlled
by haste and the pressure of rapid events,
been paid for supplies, it is with great sat-
isfaction that l refer to the economical
administration of affairs displayed in the
various branches Of the service. Our forces
had not only to be armed, clothed and fed,
but had to be suddenly provided with means
| OF transportation to an extent heretofore
unparalleled. While believe that there is
no army in the world better provided for in
every respect than our regulars and volun
teers, / candidly think that no force so
large, and so we'll equipped, was ever put
| in the field in so short time at so small an
| expense.
While it is my intention to preserve the
strictest economy and accountability, think
the last dollar should be expended and the
last man should be armed to bring this un-
holy rebellion to a speedy and permanent
| close.
THE PROPOSED CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES OF
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.
The geographical position of the metro
| polls of the nation, menaced by the rebels,
and required to be defended by thousands of
our troops, induces me to suggest for con-
sideration the propriety and expediency of
a reconstruction of the boundaries of the
States of Delaware Maryland and Virginia.
| Wisdom and true craftsmanship would die
tate that the seat Of the National Govern
ment, for all time to come, should be placed
beyond reasonable danger of seizure by
enemies within, as we'll as from capture
by foes without. By agreement between
the Safes named, such as was effected, for
similar purposes, by Michigan and Ohio,
and by Missouri and Iowa, their boundaries
could be so changed as to render the Capt.
tol more remote than at present from the
influence of State governments which have
arrayed themselves in rebellion against the
Federal authority. To this end, the limits
of Virginia might be so altered as to make
her boundaries consist of the Blue Ridge or
the East and Pennsylvania on the North
leaving those of the South and West as at
present. By this arrangement, two coun~
ties of Maryland, (Alleghaney and Wash.
ington) would be transferred to the juris-
diction of Virginia. All that portion of
Virginia which lies between the Blue Ridge
and Chesapeake Bay could then be added
to Maryland, while that portion of the Pc
ninsula between the waters of the Chesa-
peake and the Atlantic, now jointly held by
Maryland and Virginia, could be incorpo.
rated into the State of Delaware. A refers
ence to the map will show that these are
great natural boundaries, which for all time
to come, would serve to mark the limits OF
the States.
To make the protection OF the capital
complete, in consideration OF the large &C.
cession OF territory which Maryland would
receive under the arrangement proposed, it
would be necessary that State should con-
sent so to modify her constitution as to linn
it the basis of representation to her white
population.
In this connection it would be the part of
wisdom to reannex to the District of Co.
lumbia that portion of its original limits
which by act of Congress was retroceded to
the State of Virginia.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH THE SLAVES.
1t is already grave question what shall
be done with those slaves who are aban-
doned by their owners on the ad 1ance of our
troops into Southern territory, as at Beau
fort district lie South Carolina. The num-
Der left within our control at that point is
very considerable, and similar cases will
probably occur. What shall be done with
them? Can we afford to send them forward
to their masters, to be by them armed
against US, or used in producing supplies to
maintain the rebellion? Their labor may
be useful to US, withheld from the enemy it
lessons his military resources, and withhold
ing them has no tendency to induce the
horrors of instruction, even in the rebel
communities. They constitute military res
source, and being such, that they should not
be turned over to the enemy is too plain to
discuss. Why deprive him OF supplies by a
blockade, and voluntarily give him with
men to produce supplies? The disposition
to be made of the slaves OF rebels after the
close OF the war can be safely left to the
wisdom and patriotism of Congress. The
representatives of the people will, unques-
tionably, secure to the loyal shareholders
every right to which they are entitled under
the Constitution of the country.
SIMON CAMERON.
! Secretary of War.
10 the President OF the United States.
-The affair of the black flag is TINS