The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-04-12

ern ports free of duty will be con6scated.
The Governor of Virginia has seized the
cannon belonging to the Government, and
which were ordered from the Bellona arse
nal at Richmond to Fort Monroe. The
order was given only in fulfillment of con-
tract, and unless compiled with the contrac.
tor could not obtain the amount due to him
The Virginia Legislature, however, has ap-
propriated the amount due to the contractor
from the United States Government. which
will be paid him, the property meantime
having been seized by the state as forcibly
purchased at the assessed value OF the con-
tractor. This is very novel proceeding.
| Special Despatch to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
WASHINGTON, March 81.
l heard it positively denied to-day by
parties closely connected with the Admins.
tIation that Fort Pickens is to be REIN
forced. If the Administration has issued
such an order, it has been guilty of the
most gross deception toward the southern
commissioners, as it violates the understand
ing that the present military status should
remain. 1t is true that supplies in abun.
dance have been sent, but no reinforcement.
Notwithstanding the facts, yesterday and
last night an uneasy feeling was apparent
in official circles, which extended itself all
over the city. 81
l am not able to state the cause suffice
it, that many of those who have been in
high hope for the last ten days are consid-
erably depressed this morning. One leading
statesman said to me last evening, be-
gin to fear that nothing can prevent hostil-
ties between the Southern States and the
Government of the United States" The
| Southern Commissioners assure all that talk
with them on the subject, that the concern
tration of troops at Pensacola is not tor the
purpose of attack, excepting all other nego-
tiatiOns fail of a peaceful settlement. If this
should prove to be so, then they are to take
possession of the Fort on their own terri.
tory.
The news from Virginia continues to de-
press conservatives. 1t is admitted by all
that the secessionists are gaining strength
every day, and their ultimate triumph is
generally conceded. The secession of Vir-
ginia will determine the vote of Maryland,
as the people of that state consider their in.
terests inseparable from those of Virginia.
Virginia can 60 peaceably, but with Mary
land it will be different, without an army
from the Confederate States to drive out the
Federal Government from Washington.
| Special Despatch to the Cincinnati Enquirer,
| WASHINGTON, April l.
1t is getting to be believed that the adj
ministration have decided to retain Fort
Sumpter at all hazards. 1t is asserted that
the resolution offered by Mr.. Trumbull re-
fleets the sentiments of the Northwestern
Republicans, and as it is shown by Mr..
| Lincoln in his appointments that he is most
| ~ guided by their dictation, they will prob.
aoly lead him in this. The southern com>
missiOners, however, are certain to assure
all who approach them on the subject that
they believe that the difficulties will be set
tied peacefully and satisfactorily, result
which certainly cannot be hoped for if the
Government continues to hold Fort Stump.
ter, which can only be done by starving the
garrison, or reinforcing the fort. 1t is said,
however, that the President reserves to
himself the ultimate decision of the question.
1t is no use for the tariff Republicans to
take stand against it, and an extra session
will be inevitable. am satisfied that the
President and majority of the Cabinet are
in favor of it, Mr.. Chase particularly, he
holds the purse strings, and anticipating a
depleted Treasury, wishes to prepare for it.
The President desires an extra session, so
that he can transfer the responsibility of
operations at the South to that body.
The reinforcing of the forts at Tortugas
and Key West, by the troops from Texas,
does not in the least discomfort the south
erners here. They believe, and say that
they have reason for the faith, that the
works will all be evacuated before six
months.
learn that some Western men called
upon the President to day, and urged him
to collect the revenue in the seeded states.
Mr.. Lincoln said that, so far as he was per
sonally concerned, he was in favor of it; but
he would in that matter defer to the judy
ment of his Cabinet.
Governor HOuston's agent passed through
here to-day on his way to New York to
purchase arms. He says that Governor
Houston will raise an army of from two
thousand to five thousand men in Texas,
Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee, who will
oppose the jurisdiction of the confederate
states, but ultimately intending to invade
| Mexico.
| Special Despatch the Cincinna ii G numerical.
WASHINGTON, April l.
On Saturday evening last, three men,
bers of Congress, one of whom was from
Ohio, called on the President. They found
him engaged in looking over number OF
maps of the Gulf coast A conversation
ensued about the disposition of the South.
ern posts, in the course OF which the Presi-
dent gave it to be understood, in unmistak.
able terms, that even though the evacuation
of Fort Sumpter should be decided upon,
the other forts yet in possession of Federal
troops, will be held to the last. He fur
thermore limited, rather more plainly, at the
intention OF the government to blockade the
Southern ports, and collect the revenue
with men-ofwar. This is authentic, and
can be implicitly relied on by your readers
A bearer of dispatches from the q. S.
Consul at San Domingo, arrived here yes
terday. They bore upon the high handed
measures of annexation lately resorted to
- 81 IL l. II