The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-12

Mr.. RUSSELL, in his letter from New
Orleans, of May 10th, admits that he has
doubts as to the truth of the exaggerated
rumors of the Southern troops in the field,
else why "the constant advertisements" and
appeals "for few more men to complete
companies" But more startling evidence
is found in the impressment of men into
"volunteer' corps; and he adds:
Within few days British subjects living in
New Orleans have been seized, knocked down.
carried off from their labor at the wharf and
the workshop, and forced by violence to serve
in the "vOlunteer" ranks. These cases are is.
olated. They are not in twOs and threes, but
in tens and twelves; they have not occurred
steathily or in byways; they have taken place
in the open day and in the streets of New Or.
leans. These men have been dragged along
like felons, protesting in vain that they were
British subjects. Fortunately their friends
bethOught them that there was still British
Consul in the city, who would protect his
countrymen English, Irish or Scotch. Mr..
Mure, when he heard of the reports and of the
evidence, made energetic representations to
the authorities, who, after some evasion, gave
orders that the Impressed volunteers should
be discharged and the Tiger Rifles" and 9TH
thrty.fve British subjects whom they had
taken from their usual avOcations.
He says the boldest Southerner Twill not
dare to say shadow of liberty of opinion,
or real freedom exits in New Orleans" and
that
The most cruel and atrocious acts are perpe-
trated by the rabble who style themselves cit
liens. The national failing of curiosity and
prying into other peoples affairs is now ram
pant and assumes the names and airs of pat
riotic vigilance. Every stranger is watched,
every word is noted, espionage commands
every keyhole and every letter box; love of
country takes to eavesdropping, and freedom
shaves mems heads and packs men up in boxes
for the utterance of abolition sentiments"
AS to the condition of the negroes, Mr..
RUSSELL judges that in the country districts
they are quiet and easily managed, but in
the cities they are "much used, though
scarcely trusted )" and "that all the slaves
are not Indifferent to the issues before them
is certain" OF New Orleans be says:
| In this city there is terrible substratum Of
crime and vice, violence. misery and murder,
over which the wheels of the Cotton Kings
| chariot rumble gratingly, and on which rest in
| dangerous security the feet of his throne. There
| are numbers of negroes who are sent out on
the streets every day with orders not to return
with less than seventy-fve cents-anything
more they can keep, But if they do not gain
that-abOut IS Cd a day-they are liable to
punishment; they may be put into Jail on char
ges of lazness, and may be logged ad H6itunl
and are sure to be half starved. Can any.
thing, then, be more suggestive than this par
agraph, which appeared in last nights paper:
"Only three COroners' inquest were held yester-
day on persons found drowned in the river,
names unknown.
He writes as follows of the effects of the
blockade:
The influence of the blockade will be severe.
ly felt, combined with the strict interruption of
all intercourse by the Mississippi. Although
the South boasts of its resources and of its
amazing richness and abundance of produce,
the constant advice in the journals to increase
the breadth of land under corn, and to neglect
the cotton crop in consideration of the para
mount Importance Of causes, indicate an ap-
prehensOn of a scarcity of food if the struggle
be prolonged. Under any circumstances the
patriotic ladies and gentlemen who are SO anx-
ious for the war must make up their minds to
suffer little in the flesh. All they can depend
on is a supply of home luXuries, Indian corn
and wheat, the flesh of pigs. eked out with
small supply of beef and mutton, will const-
tute the staple of their food. Butter there will
be done, and wine will speedily rise to an enor-
nous price. Nor will coffee or tea be had eX-
cept at rate which will place them out of the
reach Of the mass of the community. These
are the smallest sacrifices of war. The block
ade is not yet enforced here, and the privateers
of the port are extremely active, and have
captured vessels with more euergy than wis
dom.