The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-01
INTERESTING WASHINGTON NEWS.

UdOIllNUlUN NE y.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.
The Herald correspondent, at this city,
telegraphs to-day as follows:-I learn from
q gentleman who had an interview with Mr..
Lincoln at Springfield, within the past week,
that the latter in discussing the existing
state of affairs expressed himself as follows:
81 will suffer death before I will consent or
will advise my friends to consent to any con-
cession or compromise which look like buy
ing the privilege of taking possession of this
government, to which we have constitu-
tional right; because whatever l might
think of the merits of the various PROPOSE.
tions before Congress, / should regard any
concession in the face of threats, the destruc-
ton of the government itself; and an acqui-
esence on all sides that our system shall be
brought down to level with the existing
disorganized state of affairs in Mexico. But
the whole matter will be hereafter, as it
is now, in the hands of the people, and if
they desire to call q convention to remove
any grievances complained of, or to give
new guarantees of the permanence of vested
rights, there is not one who will oppose it."
In this conversation, Mr.. Lincoln urged no
objection to the border state or Ethridge
propositions as future basis of agreement
if the Republicans, as party, desire it.
The most intense excitement exists in
Congressional circles in consequence of the
fact leaking out that the Howard select
committee of the House has positive evil
dence before them of conspiracy existing
in this city and vicinity to overthrow the
government, in which certain prominent
officials and citizens of Washington were
concerned.
The Grand Jury has found three indict-
ments against Ex-Secretary Floyd. 1st,
for maladministration in Office I'D, for COM
plicity in abstraction of bonds; Sd, for con-
spiracy against the government. 1t is ex.
pected that the indictments will be ready
for the action of the jury tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, Jan. ~.
The Senate special committee on the
tariff bill, will report on Wednesday, thu
Morrill, bill. After a close investigation
it was pronounced to be excellent in prin.
ciple and general arrangement, Nearly
two thirds of the items have already been
examined carefully. No change of duties
on iron is intended, though some schedules
may be altered to simplify the operations of
the law. Efforts have been made to reduce
the duty Of pig iron and steel, but without
success. Woolens are to pay IL cents per
pound instead of Is, as in the Morrill, bill,
which conforms to the rates on raw material.
The committee will recommend that the law
60 into operation on the first of April, and
the proposed modification of the warehouse,
system on the first of July =; all the duties
to be paid within thirty days after the goods
are entered. Merchandise for reshipment
can be st red six months. 1t is estimated
that this bill will produce revenue of
$4,000, 900, with average imports. The
bill now contains loan for $2l ,O0O, 900
which is intended to cover outstanding
Treasury notes. This will be increased to
$25,000,000 in order to provide for objects
of special legislation and other items not
included in Mr.. Dixs statement of the
condition of the Treasury for the current
fiscal year.
The errand of the sloop of war Brooklyn
is believed to be of peaceful character,
with view of intercepting hostile demon
strations on the part of the Gulf Squadron.
The troops on board of her were destined to
the works at the Tortugas, which are still
in possession of the federal authorities, but
without adequate force to hold them. Capt.
Barron was sent by land a week since, on
similar errand, and has probably arrived
there by this time. His dispatches to Fort
Pickens and the naval commanders in the
Gulf were of the most pacific character.
WASHINGTON, January 20.
Secretary Dix has issued orders that
Captains of revenue cutters shall not deliver
up their vessels to rebels, but defend them
to the last, and if overpowered, blow them
up.
So many military companies are arriving
here that it is impossible to find quarters.
Additional troops are expected Tomorrow.
Senator Mallory, at Pensacola, tele.
graphed to Senator Bigler last evening, that
l,700 men were on the ground to resist the
reinforcement of Fort Pickens, aud that if
the Brooklyn attempted to relieve the fort
bloody fight will follow.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %.
The Chicago and Milwaukee Boards of
Trade visited the President, Mr.. Seward
and others to-day. The President said in
the interview, "if Mr.. Lincoln shall enjoy bis
accession to the presidency as much as !
shall assume the duties of the citizen, be will
be happy man."
Mr.. Seward said heretofore the "cry of
union has been raised when there was no
danger. l tell you, my friends, the question
of slavery will not now be taken into ac-
count. We are to save the Union, then
save all the rest worth saving"
Mr.. Reynolds of New York, from the
committee on Presidents message, will to-
morrow report a bill, not only giving the
executive the power, but making it manda.
tory upon him, to call out the volunteer
militia for the purpose Of suppressing insur-
rection.