davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
short session of the Legislature.

The Mortified Telegraph advocates short
session for the coming Legislature. That will
be agreeable to all the constituents. Make the
session as short as practicable and lessen ex-
penses..--State Nf,cs.
We fully endorse the above. All the reports
of the executive departments will be printed
and upon the desks of members at the opening
of the session, greatly facilitating business !;
and if the Legislature shall so will it, the ses-
sion need not be long. -.Sl. Paul Press.
"And if the Legislature shall SO will it, I"
is the point upon which the question Of a
long or short session will depend. That
the necessary legislation of the State can
be effected in thirty days, no one will doubt;
but that it aoiW be done in that time is quite
another thing.
just before the annual assembling Of the
Legislature, we have always noticed in the
presses of the State an earnest desire for q
short session, but for all that, the extreme
limit Of the law is generally reached before
an adjournment takes place, and we shall be
very much surprised if it is not the case
this year.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
The Versatile Oaicer,

The Mankato Record of last week, con-
tains description, not at all fattering, OF
Special Indian Agent Geo. E. 81. Day, Esq,
of st. Anthony, and his operations among
the aborigines. We copy one paragraph :
Our citizens will remember that during a
few days. sojourn in this place, he took an &C.
tive part in prayer meetings, pettifogged a
case of selling whiskey to an Indian, and de.
livered an address to the Sabbath School chill
dren-all of which demonstrate happy fac
ulty possessed by Day of suiting himself to
any and every occasion.
Notwithstanding the above evidences of
versatile genius, often so necessary in from
tier life, the Record says ave donot think
the government interests require his further
attention, and his services may safely be
dispensed with" This is strange con-
clusion. W
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

There are some reasons for believing that
the reports of such deficient crops in Ire
land as would cause famine there are
greatly exaggerated. Sir ROBERT PEEL,
who was appointed Chief Secretary for
Ireland, some four months ago, and evil
IDENTIFY entered into Office with the intention
Of doing bis duty, conceived it desirable
and even necessary for him to visit remote
parts of the island, in order to become per-
sonally acquainted with the wants and
wishes of the people, their characteristics
and position, their modes and means of
living, and their condition and prospects.
His tour, which was commenced in Galway
and extended thence along the coast, all
round the north of Ireland to Belfast, ena-
bled him, he says, to derive from personal
observation more information than could be
collected from whole files of parliamentary
reports. In speech at Belfast, now the
commercial capital of Ireland, Sir ROBERT
PEEL's words were:
can confidently assert that the reports and
rumorS which have been circulated about q
famine in this country have been greatly eX-
aggerated. speak on the authority of per.
sonal observation. leave those who can
write in the secluded districts of Connaught
the task OF refuting, if they can, what know
to be true. In Sligo, in Donegal, hear very
different accounts from those which had been
led to believe, and from personal observation
in Mayo and Galway, and from letters have
received, l am assured that nothing of the
kind that was alledged exists. OF course. am
ready to admit. with every gentleman in this
room, that there has been comparative fail.
ure in the potato crop, and that food will be
dear, but scarcity of food is not necessarily
famine, and it is very easy to understand the
interested motives of some who are anxious to
public in spreading about these exaggerated
rumors. Now, must say, as far as l myself
am concerned, l do not find that these appre.
tensions are in any way likely to be realized.
Taking this as an official declaration, it
will be seen that the Chief Secretary of
Ireland, VIRTUALLY its iulor, for the Viceroy
is only lay.fgure in the pageant) strong
~ denies that famine is at all likely, this
year. There has been a comparative fail
ure in the potato crop, whereby the price
of food will be advanced; but PEEL treats
the idea of famine in ireland as preposter-
GUS and false.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

precedented speculation. The Govern ment
has been the victim of more than one con-
spiracy, and remarkable combinatirns have
been formed to rob the treasury. The pro.
fits on the sale of arms to the Government
have been enormous, and realized too in
many instances, even by our own citizens,
through system OF brokerage as unprin-
cipled and dishonest as unfriendly to the
success and welfare of the nation as the
plotting of actual treason.
The Government and the several States
entering the market in active and direct
competition, stimulating it is true to some
slight extent and temporarily, the importa~
ton and manufacture of arms, but scarcely
compromising for a general profigacy in
the expenditure of the public treasure.
The COMMITTEE examined into army sup.
plies and say that in the Western Depart.
ment especially acquisitions have supplied
the place OF contracts. The Committee say
that in the purchase of cattle there has
been gross acknowledgement and in the pur-
chase of horses andwagons, &c,t hey find
great Irregularities. The Committee also
say man by the name of Wood, enjoying
the confidence of the\ President, was ap-
pointed Commissioner Of Public Buildings,
place requiring not ouly great business
capacity but unfinching integrity, and that
Wood, from his own declarations made
himself an instrument for plunderiDg the
government. The Committee in discharge
of their duty made representation of the
facts to the Executive, but before any ac-
ton was taken the Government was re-
lieved by his resignation.
The Committee next approach the SUBJ
Ject OF Qualifications at st. Louis. The
circumstances surrounding this work being
OF the most extraordinary character and
marked by extravaganza, recklessness, in.
subordination and fraud. They express the
hope that some means may be found to
make the parties to the atlocious contract,
disgOrge the sums out of which the Gov.
eminent has been defrauded and that the
laoorers who have done the work on the
faith OF the Government will not longer be
delayed in receiving their just dues. The
committee found that most astounding and
unblushing frauds had been perpetrated in
the purchase of horses and mules.
Bark Island City sailed to-day for Fort
Monroe with $50 Hatteras prisoners re.
leased by Government.
EXECUTIVE SESSION-PROCL AVIATION
OF GENERAL PHELPS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is. Business of the
Senate in executive session has been con.
fned to referring to appropriate committees
the appointments made by the President
during recess of Congress and heretofore
abolished. a
The proclamation Of General Phelps at
Ship Island is condemned by all classes of
politicians. 1t was his individual act and
must therefore be regarded accordingly.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
THE CHARLESTON FIRE
Loss FvUe to Seven .UiJZiOasS.

FORTRESS MONROE, Dec. 16.--Norfolk
and Richmond papers give full particulars
of the extensive confagration in Charles
ton, South Carolina. The fire broke out
on the 18th, in q sash and blind factory at
the foot of Hazel street, extending to the
machine shop of Cameron & Co., and before
midnight the fire had assumed an appalling
magnitude, and Meeting street from Mar
ket to Queen, was mass of fame.
AS tenement after tenement was envel.
oped in f lmes, the panic became awful and
thousands of families evacuated their houses
and filled the streets.
The buildings in the lower part of the
city where the fire broke out were princi-
pally of wood and extremely infammable,
which accounts for the remarkably rapid
progress of the fire.
At midnight Circular Church and Insti-
tute Hall were burning and the proximity
of the flames to Charleston Hotel and
the Mills House caused them to be evacu-
ated by the inmates.
At one o'clock the fire tended more
southwark, towards the corner of Archdale
and Queen streets, to the rear of Charleston
Hotel, to the end of Home street, crossing
Market street. The fire spread down East
Bay to Cumberland street, and across to
the Mills House, including in its destruc-
ton Circular Church, Institute Hall, and
the Charleston Hotel.
General Ripley, who superintended the
movements of the troops who arrived on the
scene at about that time, ordered several
buildings on the route of the confagratiOn
to be blown up. After some delay the Or
der was executed, but not before the Thea-
tire, Lloyd's Coach Factory, opposite the
Express Office, the cd Executive building,
and all the houses from this point to Queen
street, had caught fire and were destroyed.
At about four O'Clock the wind changed
the direction of the flames towards
Broad street, and soon after st. Andrews
Hall took fire, and subsequently the Cathe-
dral, the spire of which falling shortly after
five o'clock.
The fire made clean sweep through the
city, making its track from East Bay to
King street.
The Charleston Courier of the 18th inst.
gives list of between 200 and 300 suffer.
ers and says the loss is estimated at $5,O00,>
600 to 100000.
Mr.. Russell, at whose factory the fire
originated, thinks it must have been occa.
stoned by an incendiary or by negligence of
negroes.
The Mills House is only slightly dam
aged.
A message was sent to the Confederate
Congress on Friday by President Davis, in
relation to the conhagration at Charleston,
recommending an appropriation in aid OF
the sufferers. A resolution was accordingly
unanimously adopted by Congress, appro.
priating$25O 900 as an advance on account
Of claims of South Carolina npon Confed>
crate States
Churches were destroyed, viz: Roman
Catholic Cathedral, st. Peters, and Epls.
copal church, Cumberland street church,
Methodist church, and the circular church.
The Charleston Mercury says 81 build
ings were destroyed by the fire.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
The News of the Arrest Of Mason and
Slideli in England.
THE EFFECT ON THE MONEY MARKET.

The London Times OF the 18th ult., in its
leading article, says the reception of the
news of the arrest of Mason and Slidell
created an indescribable effect in the city,
and the funds instantly fell one per cent
The Times adds: ......
Although no one in the city to-day has
been able to conceive it possible for any
United States warrant to be served on board
a British ship for the capture of peaceable
passengess not charged with any recognized
crime, the cabinet will be fully supported
even in tolerating that act, provided it can
be shown to be in conformity with the re-
ciprocal law between the two nations, or the
nations of the world generally. On the
other hand, should the proceeding be found
unquestionably illegal, there will be no lim-
it to the energy with which the country will
respond to the demand for the requisite
means for obtaining instant satisfaction, and
upholding the common principles that reg
ulate and render possible the intercourse of
mankind.
In the same article, in noticing large
purchases of saltpetre, on account of the
Federal government, and of cannon, rifles,
&C., the Times asks the English govern
ment to summariIy prohibit the clearance
of such contrabands of war.
A panic upon the stock exchange was
the immediate consequence, during which
there was heavy general fall, both in
stocks and shares. In the first instance
the event was regarded as casus bell6, and
much Indignation was expressed at the al
legged affront to the country but subse-
qnently it was perceived that though the
circumstances of the seizure may be cal
culated to excite strong feelings, the com.
mander of the Federal vessel might posi-
bly, have acted upon the strictly legal
rights of the government. A calmer feel
ing thereupon prevailed.
The Star further says it "was impossible
to transact business or obtain definite quo-
tations," owing to the excitement.
The Chronicle says:
Consola were down and saltpetre went
up; all the public securities fell in value,
and at Lloyd's, insurance on vessels to
dUQ Hull auCkiS0 ONCotuC IOl CiHC,
impossible, unless at very high rates. The
insult offered to the British flag appeared
to be resented by high and low, rich and
poor.
The Meas, in its money article, after
speaking of the effect upon the funds says |:
Opinion differed in the widest possible
degree as to the probable results of the af-
fair, some persons regarding it as an abso
lutte casus bslli, and Others as an unfortu.
nate incident which will yet be amicably
arranged. In quarters where the latter
view was entertained, however, the gravity
of the event was generally admitted.
Of the effect in Paris the Star says, "the
Bourse was considerably excited by the
American news" and there was fall in
rents of rather more than on-half per cent.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
Chaplain First Minnesota Regiment.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1861,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 1861.
Soldiers Of Minnesota in Richmond
By the exigency of war separated from your
regiment in the battle Of July 2lst, you are not
forgotten by your comrades in arms or by
your State. l
As early as August ! attempted to send a
small sum of money to purchase little com.
forts, but at that time could find no author
lied channel of communication. To the care
of General Winder / have this day forwarded
for equal distribution, one hundred dollars of
the hospital fund contributed by good men and
noble women of our State for those sick and
in prison.
While we have mourned the loss of a few of
you, through the malaries of the climate, it
has been day of thanksgiving that the NOR.
tality has not been greater.
In your trying position I hope that you are
patient, courteous and acquit yourselves like
men.
If permitted to return may you have nothing
to be ashamed of, and the consciousness of
having gained the confidence and respect of
those, by the technics of war, Temporarily as
we hope) called enemies.
Clothing has been forwarded for your use by
General Meigs.
If agreeable and consistent with the regula.
tions of those who have the watch over you,
1 should be glad to receive an answer to this
brief note.
In regimental prayers at retreat we have
commended you to the care of him who careth
not only for sparrows but for those in cap.
tivity. / am, your friend,
E. D. NELL,
Chaplain Minnesota First Regiment.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

From the London Chronicle, Nov. %
The following important statement is
said to have been made on the authority of
the Confederate Commissioners, who are at
present in this country =
The law officers of the Grown have Civ.
en- their opinion that the Nashville, "being
regular commissioned ship of war;" of
the Confederate States is entitled ito re-
pair and refit" in British ports. Mr.. Ad-
ans, the Minister of the Federal govern
ment has been aoa, ned by Lord John Russell
that the stopping and overhawliag of amy
royal mail packet by amy federal slip'cf aOar
acSW be considered as an insult to the British
flag, and, should bloodshed emsue, as casus
oeiU.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

The whole of this important document
may be found on our first and Fifth pages.
It is generally considered as the ablest State
paper that has yet emanated from the AID.
minist ration, and will be read by all who
desire to be informed Of the plans devised
by the Government to meet the expenses Of
the war. These are unfolded with such re-
markable clearness, as to render any expla,
nations superHuous. az ...s
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

The fire in Charleston caused destruc.
ton of property to the amount of from
five to seven millions of dollars, and the
Confederate Congress appropriated two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the
suffererers. No mention is made Of the
negro insurrection.
The capture of rebel privateer, and
two steamers is announced. rs Hih 81 Jus
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

--Although the removal of the Confed-
crate capital from Richmond to Nashville
is, for the time, defeated by the indignant
howl that Richmond raised about it, there
is said to be little doubt but the capital
will be removed before the assembling of
the first regular Congress in February. IS
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

General Rosecrans had fine reception
at Cincinnati on his return from Western
Virginia. In the course of his remarks, in
response to the welcome speech of the May
or, he said that Floyd escaped not be.
cause it was necessary, but because orders
had not been obeyed."
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
e.,..lns Attitude Of England.

The news from England is extremely
warlike. Without referring to the tone of
the press, the action of the Government has
been such as to cause the liveliest appre-
tensions of war between that country and
the United States. 1t has been decided by
the law officers Of the crown, that the &C.
ton of Captain Wilkes was upjustifiable
and fragrant violation Of the law of Ma
tons, and direct insult to the country,
and it was the duty of the Government to
demand reparation, and the Cabinet had
come to the conclusion to make that de.
mand. 1t is also said that special mes
senger from the Government came over in
the last steamer carrying demand to
Lord Lyons, insisting on an apology and
restoration to the protection of the British
flag of MASON and SLIDELL. These facts,
in connection with an order of the Privy
Council prohibiting the export from the
United Kingdom Of gunpowder, salt petre,
birthstone, and nitrate of soda, certainly
have warlike aspect. Great Britain will
not make such demands unless she is pre-
pared to enforce them, and should they be
peremptory as we have reason to suppose
they will be, there will be little room for
diplomacy to procrastinate the issue. We
must crawfish or fight. te 13fa
The news by a later arrival is Of the
same tenor as previously reported, but no
definite 90 on Of the government is devel.
oped. The excitement was undated and
there had been serious decline in consols
Vessels Of war we're preparing to sail for
America, and the Administration had is.
sued an order requiring all absent men to
return to their respective ships. 1t was re-
ported that Mr.. ADAMS regards his recall
as inevitable. General ScoTT has written
a conciliatory letter that is having a good
effect on public sentiment. aaa .s.i7s =
The flippant tone assumed by some peo.
pie in discussing the possibility of war
with England, at time when the whole
resources of our Government are scarce
ly sufficient to suppress domes-
tic insurrection, strikes us as some.
thing akin to madness. A calm con-
sideration of what war with England
means, as we are now situated, and how it
can be honorably averted, strikes US as more
becoming, and likely to lead to batter re-
suits, than the spirit of bravado so rife
among the unrefecting class of the commu.
nifty. Our confidence in the good sense of
the Governments of both nations, and of
the people, leads us to believe that the Diff
Guilty will be settled without war. Should
war, however, be the result, a prophet of
less honor than Mr.. SEWARD might safely
predict such disasters to our country as have
never yet been conceived by the most de-
spending. The complete success of the
Southern rebellion-the humiliation of our
commerce the slaughter of an hundred
thousand men--the beggary of the people
by fifty years of taxation-is what is meant
by a war with England.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20

MIR. James Clement, editor Of the Du,
buque Times, was assaulted in the street in
that city on Wednesday last, by Mr.. John
Hodnett. The provocation was severe
personal assault upon Hodnett in Clements
paper. The assailant was disarmed by
Clement after the infection of one or two
blows, and the crowd interfered.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
Relief for the PrlsOners Of the F1rst Re-
glment now at Richmond.

Chaplain NELL, promptly attended to
the request of Governor RAMSEY, to attend
to the wants Of our prisoners at Richmond.
The following letter and accompanying
documents reached the Executive Office By
the last mail:
WASHINGTON, D. c., 'Dec. 20, 1861.
His Eresleny Ales. Ramsey, Governor Of Minnesota:
SIR: Your communication of Nov. 26th, en-.
closing letter of Adjutant Pierson, of the
Massachusetts, Goth, a prisoner of war, appeal.
ing in behalf of the soldiers of the Minnesota
First in Richmond, was received at Camp
Stone, on the night of the 5th inst.
According to your request, started the
next morning for this place to supply the
wants of those who are captives and strangers
in strange land.
On Saturday had an interview with Gener.
al Meigs, the Quartermaster of the United
States, in relation to supply of clothing for
the prisoners belonging to the First Regiment,
at Richmond. He informed me that he had
lately dispatched via Fortress Monroe clothing
sufficient for two thousand men, which by this
time is probably in the possession of the pris.
oners of war
By Adams Express have sent, as you will
see by accompanying correspondence, one
hundred dollars for distribution among our
men.
After consultation with Colonel Dana and
Doctor Hand concluded in this instance to
take this sum from the Hospital Fund of the
First Regiment, believing that it will be graft
flying to the donors, as the festal season draws
near, to know that portion of their contribu-
tions has been devoted to cheering the cap
tives in their hours of loneliness.
For the actual hotel and travelling expenses
while attending to your request, have drawn
on you as Governor of the State.
/ am with respect,
Ed. NELL,
Chaplain Minnesota First.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1861.
Major General Wool, U. S. A.
SIR-Herewith is a note and package of one
hundred gold dollars, addressed to the care of
General Winder to be distributed among the
soldiers of the First Minnesota Regiment, pri-
soners in Richmond.
Please forward by the proper channel, and
much oblige yours respectfully,
E. D. NELL.
Chaplain Minnesota First.
The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1861.

General Windey-
SIR; Awaiting myself of your courtesy
forward through Major General Wool pack.
age of one hundred gold dollars, to be quickly
distributed among the soldiers OF the First
Minnesota Regiment, now in Richmond. l also
send note to them, which, if not objectiona-
BILE, you will be kind enough to deliver with
the package. ..t'~
Very respectfully.
III E. D. NELL,
- Chaplain First Minnesota Regiment.