The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-05
w ashington News.
WASHINGTON. June "a,

Times despatch Fears are entertain
ed in towns along the lower part OF the Pc.
tomac, of a rising OF slaves, and general
stagnatiOn of trade was manifest.
f. A. Aiken, of this district and former
ly Of Vermont, the Secretary of the Nation.
al Democratic Committee, has proposed to
the War Department to raise regiment
forthwith, OF Northern Democrats, for act
i've service during the war, and to testify
their appreciation OF Mr.. Lincoln's efforts
to maintain the government intact.
have to-day an explanation of the rea-
son why the rebels resort to such tricks as
that when they captured the Captain of the
Connecticut Regiment on Saturday, and
why they pick off the pickets and capture
every man they can reach. They are keep
ing all such prisoners and holding them as
hostages for the personal safety of the pi.
rates. They intend to hang an equal num-
Der of prisoners of war, and thus retaliate
upon loyal men the punishment inflicted by
us on buccaneers.
[1ribune's Despatch. The rebels have
made two propositions of peace to the adj
ministration. One contemplates the COM
plete recognition of the Southern C0nfed-
eracy, with treaty of commerce and
friendship, and perhaps an annual subsidy of
100000 for giving them protection
against foreign and domestic enemies.
The other, which is still under considera-
tio1, consents to suspension of hostilties,
laying down of arms, and the extension of
the line of $3.50 to the Pacific. Perhaps
censorious people well may see some imme-
diate connection between these facts and the
supineness of both armies on the other side
OF the Potomac, and the indignation mani
tested toward the rapid pursuit of the rebels
by Gen. Lyon and Col. Blair in Missouri.
1t is possible that the two Houses of
Congress will be so impertinent as to inquire
into the history of this tampering with
traitors in rebellion.
VIM. D. Gallagher, OF Kentucky, lately
confidential clerk of the Secretary of the
Treasury, has been appointed Collector of
the port OF New Orleans, and leaves Wash.
ington for Cairo to morrow. He will ac-
company our army on its progress down the
Mississippi. There can be no doubt that
this appointment and departure for this
point indicates an attack at the earliest
practicable moment, upon Memphis. This
will not be for some weeks, but be will move
southwardly, with the flag, restoring the
commercial relations of the Union, and seal
ing up all lines of transfer for the rebels as
he proceeds. 1T may not be generally known
that the collection district of New Orleans
embraces the valleys of the Mississippi and
Ohio rivers, including their tributaries, and
reaching as far east as Pittsburg. The so
called collectors of Louisville and other
towns within the district are only surveyors
and agents of the New Orleans collectors.
The Herald's correspondence says often,
sive movements on the part of the Govern
ment, will doubtless be deferred some time,
owing to the change of the programme OF
the rebel chiefs. The grand assault upon
Washington, about which they clustered,
appears to be abandoned, on account of its
involving their certain defeat. They now
propose to act entirely on the defensive !;
but although they are concentrating their
forces in this neighborhood, it is not prob
able that they will hazard a general en-
gagement anywhere this side of Richmond.
1t is asserted that Wilson's Zouaves have
gone to Fort Pickens, but it is quite likely
that they have gone to Charleston. Sever
al other regiments, which are about leaving
the North, will probably go. there also.
The War Department received intelli-
gence that Col. Stone has entered Harper's
Ferry with his command, sufficiently strong
to hold that position. The return of the
rebels was only for the purpose of making
the destruction of the place more complete.
Why Gen. Patterson should have allowed
this, is the subject of comment and surprise
in high military circles.
A report reached Washington tonight
that Alexander H. Stephens, Vice Presi-
dent of the so called Confederate States, is
dead. The information comes through rebel
sources; hence it cannot be traced beyond
this point. 1t was we'll known that he has
recently been i'll.
Within the last twenty-four hours, four
regiments have advanced from this side into
Virginia. No one is any longer alarmed
about an attack by the rebel army at Man.
assas and Richmond. lightweight full reg
iments of well armed and we'll equipped
Northern men are now concentrated on the
banks of the Potomac; and the entire force
could be drawn up in Virginia to meet a
rebel advance IN two hours from the first
signal.
The report of the appointment of Major
Gen. Dix to the command OF a grand Union
army is premature.
A protracted meeting Of the Cabinet was
held to-day, which was attended by General
Scott. 1t is said that the old veteran made
full and final exposition of his grand plan,
and declared himself now ready to take the
offensive. / do not vouch for the correct
ness of the rumOr = but you must not be sur
prised to hear the thunder of war on a
grand scale during the present week.
johnson and Etheridge, of Tennessee,
have been in consultation with the military
authorities to-day, in regard to the contem.
plated operations of an army. Gen. Nc
Clellan is about to move forward for the
rescue of the loyal men of the Eastern part
of that State.
Col. Butler, brother of Gen. Butler, ar
rived here from Fortress Monroe, this MORN
lug. He states that the General is unable
to move from bis position for want of field