The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
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News from WASHINGTON.
MASON AND SLIDELL NOT TO BE GU

| MASON AND SLIDELL NOT TO BE CIV
EN- UP.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16-Herold's Spe.
ciat.-The President has received no off,
cial information from England relative to
the Mason and Slidell affair. The cabinet
has been in session for several hours to-day,
during which our difficulty with England
was discussed with great calmness and firm.
| ness.
Whatever the demands from England
may be, and the English newspaper bluster
is not taken as any true indication of inten-
ton OF that government, our government
has resolved that Mason and Slidell shall
never be given up. This may be relied on
as fixed fact. The impression is that
England would make demand for release
OF the rebels seized, but lengthy corre-
respondence would settle the matter with.
| out war.
BRITISH ULTIMATUM NOT RECEIVED.
Rumors of Messenger arriving post
haste with dispatches for Lord LYONS are
false. No ultimatum from the English
Government in regard to Slidell and Ma
son is expected at the beginning Of diplo-
matte correspondence.
A gentleman just arrived from Mo-, says
Senator Polk has gone over to the rebels
and is taking counsel with them at Mems
phis. His treason has long been fagr an.
as we'll as that of johnson, his colleague.
FOUKE AND CONWAY DIFFICULTY-MR,
SCENARIOS OPINIONS.
The difficulty between Conway and Fouke
growing out of debate in the House yester.
day, remains unadjusted. 1t is reported
there is some doubt as to the party upon
whom rests the responsibility OF sending a
challenge.
Secretary Seward this morning gave it
as his opinion that no foaeign, war would
take place. The remark was made in
| conversation with distinguished English
man.
CONDITION OF THE REBEL ARMY.
WASHINGTON, Dec. ia man came
within General Heintzelman's lines today,
who left for Alexandria in July for more
distant Southern quarters. He stated that
he had been living at Charlottesville for
some time, and that no rebel troops had
recently gone south from the army of the
Potomac, but during the last three weeks
two Georgia regiments had been added to
it; that sickness in the army was great,
and average from Manassas and Centre,
vile CARLOAD of invalids day, conveyed
to the hospitals at Charlottesville.
POST OFFICE REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Dec. H. Times Despatch.
The House post Office committee unani-
mously decided to introduce bill to abol-
ish the franking privilege. The committee
have also concluded to grant no further pri-
vileges in the case of soldiers letters, other
than that now given that OF sending their
letters without prepayment.
PICKETS DRIVEN IN-COST OF WESTERN
GUN BOATS.
Herald Despatcb.-This P. N. the pickets
of Blenker's division were driven in by the
enemy. The rebels were soon driven back,
and many of them were killed.
The Secretary of War has submitted to
Congress a statement of Quartermaster
Gen. Meigs, asking the early appropriation
of 100000 to complete and pay for the
qua boats, mortar boats and tug boats OF
the Western fotilla, so that they may not
be delayed at ST. Louis until the Interrupt
ton of navigation by ice.
He states that the $l,500,0O0 appropri~
ated by Congress at its last session is suffi-
cient Only for the construction, equipment
and maintenance of seven of the gunboats,
and without expressing any opinion as to
the necessity Of the feet ordered to be built
by Gen. Fremont, be links tle Govern
ment is bound to pay vg la,.u, and if arm,
ed and equipped aid wei. Ii united, they
will add to the strength OF Ill., lrmy in the
west and the success OF tie lzpedition ns
tended to open the Mississippi.
FORTIFIC ATOMS AND COAST DEFEN-
CES.
The report of Chief Engineer Barnard,
has jus. been submitted to Congress by
Gen. Cameron, shows that the defences
around Washington consists of forty works,
mounting 800 guns that the whole defen-
ces occupied, are about thirty-five miles,
exceeding by several miles the famous
works on Torres Vedas. The most exten
sive ratification Of this kind known in
modern times. Gen. Barnard asks the ap.
preparation of $4,000 from Congress for
the completion of these works.
Secretary Cameron mas also submitted
to Congress report in favor, of an approS
priation of $4,71OOOO for putting our
coast defences in order, from the Lakes
around to San Francisco. A large por
ton of which is to be devoted to defences
of New York Harbor.
REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATING COM
MITTEE.
Van Wyck's Investigating Committee to
inquire into Government contracts, say, in
their report, they have examined 265 per-
sons. The report embraces 100 pages,
and their labors are far from being finish
ed. They propose to push the investiga.
tion vigorously, so long as they are de.
manded by public interests.
The affair of the steamer Catalina was
thoroughly sifted. There was great con"
Hict in the evidence as to what would be a
fair price for charter and the cost of rum
ming her.
The Committee racially call attention
to the agreement between the Secretary of
the Navy and Mr.. Morgan for purchasing
vessels for the Government.
The Committee next debated themselves
to the subject of the purchase of arms.
'Vha extraordinary demand for them 70.