davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
Our Relations with Mexico.

Right glad are we to learn by our dispatch
es, this morning, that our Government mas
declined to enter into the alliance Of England
France and Spain against Mexico. Our pres
emit relations with Mexico are Of the most
friendly nature, and we hope will remain So
The Mexican Government, through the lnnu-
ence of Minister Corwin, has given the
United States right of way for transport
alton of troops through her territory favor
not often granted by neutrals to belligerents'
So far from the United States entering into
this alliance, we should watch with jealous
care the operations of these three European
powers on the coast of Mexico. If they con-
fine themselves to their avowed object-the
enforcement of claims against Mexico-we
have no right to interfere; but if they at
tempt to gain foothold on American soil
either for colonization or conquest, our Gov
eminent should not hesitate to assert thu
Monroe doctrine, and order "hands OF "
Our national tranquility, if not our nationa
existence itself, would be imperilled by Mex
leo falling under European dominion, espe
cially at this time.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
Affairs in Missouri.
Gen. Pope in Command at Syracuse -Lioe-
ly times expected-Ine Boldr.ess of
Prices Bands

Gen. Pope in Command at Syracuse Lioe.
ly times expected The Bold,.ess of
Prices Bands.
SYRACUSE, Mo-, Dec. Z.
Gen. Pope has been assigned to the com
mand of all the federal forces between the
Missouri and Usage rivers. This force con-
stitutes the largest part of the army which
Fremont took to Springfield. Busy prepare
tons are now being made for the establish.
ment of winter quarters for the troops,
Price is still south of the Osage near Osceo-.t
la, and is losing more men by desertion and.
expiration of time of service than he has.
gained by bis proclamation. If he crosses
the Usage lively times my be expected.
KANSAS CRY, Dec 7.
A band of rebels entered Independence
last night, and arrested several Union me-,
and forced them to take an oath that IL ev
would not take up arms against the Southern
Confederaoy. This morning they took DOS
session Of the stage leaving for Lexin gtop.
but through the influence of some secession
citizens it was restored.
1- -s,,..-. SEDAL1A, Dec. Z. +
To-day ten six-mule teams, while on q for ~
aging expedition about eight miles west Of
this place, were seized by a party of rebels.
and the teamsters taken prisoners.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

HoUsE.-On motion Of Mr.. Holman. it was
resolved that the Committee on Public Lands
should report what railway companies had
received donations of lands on conditions of
transporting troops and munitions of war
free Of charge, and whether the Government
has the unqualified right of such transport
alton.
Mr.. Lovejoy offered resolution instructinp
the Committee on Foreign Affairs to report a
bill establishing diplomatic relations between
the United States and Hayti and Liberia
The resolution lies over. Ft
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, offered resolution
declaring it just to recognize the eminent and
patriotic services of the late Gen. Lyon, ten
dering the thanks of Congress to the brave Of
ficers and soldiers under his command, who
sustained the honor of the flag and achieved a
victory at Springfield, Mo-, and in order to
commemorate the evert, let each regiment en-
gagged on that occasion bear on it's colors the
word "Springield'' in letters of gold, and that
these resolutions be read at the head of the
different regiments of the army of the United
States. He believed the Government had ia
ken no notice of the death of Gen. Lyon and
hence the propriety of the passage of the res
olution. He knew the man well; one never
lived who cared more for his country and less
for himself 80
The resolution was adopted. ...-
Mr.. Lansing's preamble and resolution Of
fered on Monday then came up.
Mr. Stevens of Pa, said if the passage of that
resolution is to have good effect, especially
in the West, the sooner it is passed the better.
The allegation of Gen. Halleck as an excuse
for his order that fugitive slaves, whom he
proposes to exclude from his lines, give infor-
nation to the enemy, is too bold pretext to
justify him. The return of fugitive slaves was
intended by Gen. McC| elan, and had been
followed by Gems Dix, Kelly and others. All
these cases are disgrace to the profession Of
arms. Ii such returns of fugitives have been
made by orders of the Commanding Generals
they deserve to have their epaulets stripped
from their SHOULDERS !; and if it has been done
by higher authority, then God forgive them
for they know not what they do. -----..----
Mr.. Lovejey expressed his honest conviction
that such orders were issued by the Com
handing Generals of the army, without order
from the President. He was satisfied of tn
fact while the President does not remove ant
cashier them as he Uovejoy) would. He di'
not believe that the Commanding Generals ha
power for such inhuman and shameful meas
ures.
Mr.. Blair, of Mo-, said Stevens had misun
derstood Haleck's order. He informed hin
that he had no idea of doing anything con
trary to the law of the last Congress and tn
policy of the Government.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

SOUTHERN FANAr1cIsM. works Of both
good and bad men survive them. The spirit
of Washington animates loyal men to forget
themselves and think only Of their country
The subtle genius of Calhoun still lives, a
guide and inspiration to treason. 1tpenetrates
the Southern heart, leads the Southern will
controls Southern conduct, and is the unseen
motive power of the rebellion. 1t inspires the
councils of the rebels, gives life and vigor to
their movements, and breathes into their
souls a fanaticism hardly less wild, ungovern
able, or terrible, than that which possessed
the early followers of Mahomet. Thousands
of them are ready to lay down their lives for
shadowy abstraction which can neither be
explained nor understood. They will fight
for it, suffer hunger and thirst for it, brave
all the horrors of war for it-and not man
of them can tell what it is.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
Response from the German.

Nh EDITOR Allow me to transmit to you
IS an answer to your "Word to our German
Friends" the following preamble and resolu-
tons, adopted without dissenting vote bv
meeting Of the Germans of this city:
WHEREAS, We deem it not only the right
but the duty of free and sovereign people
to express at all times, and especially under
so trying circumstances as the present, their
opinion Of the acts and measures of their ad.
mlnistration and representatives.
Resolued, That we wish to see the present
war, which was forced upon us by the slave
ocracy, ended as soon as possible, by the
thorough and unrelenting suppression of trea-
son and Just punishment of its authors.
Resolued, That in the proclamation of J..
c. Fremont, of Oct. 18th, if carried out we
see the proper way to bring the war to a
speedy termination, and TO punish treason
and its abettors, as we'll as to prevent the
repetition of similar dangers.
Resolved, That in j. G. Fremont we see
the pioneer of those principles which shall in.
sure liberty and prosperity to our children,
and that we heartily approve and advance the
movement to present the brave opponent of
slavery, monopoly and corruption, with a
sword. with which to continue the noble task
of fighting the three mightiest and most dan
gerous enemies of the Republic.
Resolved, That We, as adopted citizens,
respect and esteem in j. O. Fremont, princi-
pally, the man who, without prejudice of any
kind, recognizes and values the worth and
merit of all men, without regard to their ma
tivity.
You will see that our object in endorsing
Fremont's policy is 10 accordance with your
own opinions Of the questions of the day, as
expressed in your paper, and that in the reso-
luton which supports Fremont, personally,
we are prompted by the just sense to vindi.
cate our rights as adopted citizens, and hearty
cooperation in the holy cause Of the country
of our choice,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
~- The rebel agents in London are

az The rebel agents in London are per-
mitted to use small space in the London
Globe twice weekly, to give their version Of
news from America. The writer of this di.
gcst, in the latest issue, saysl
"Late advices from New Orleans and
Charleston describe the enthusiasm te be, If
anything, greater than at the commencement;
and that they are fully prepared to meet the
threatened sea attacks Of the Northern arma.
da. fully anticipate the dispersion of the
armada either by gales OF wind, current, OF
shipwreck. Discipline and order cannot be
expected where all are head men and bottle
washers together, and none. except the fanat-
ical New England abolitionists, with their
hearts in the struggle. Should this expedi.
ton fail, the last card of President Lincoln's
Cabinet has been played of the Northern
game Of beggar my neighbor. l still think
that terms Will be agreed to before Christmas,
as strong reaction Is settling in at New
York in prioate, schicA, If it ONCE breaks
ont, soill settle the question"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
A Word to our German Friends.

We believe the people have quite generally
become reconciled to Fremont's removal, ex-
cept the Germans, in whose hearts the
spirit of his proclamation took such deep
hold that they cannot separate him from the
principle it enunciated. We honor them for
their zeal and adherence to this principle, but
are sorry that they allow it to stand in the
way of the duty of every good citizen to sus
tain the Administration in its hour of trial
They would be much more consistently EN-
ployed in sending petitions to Congress t.
enact law Incorporating Fremont's proclaim
alton, than in raising dime subscriptions t.
present a sword to the General. By the lat
ter course they are only encouraging insubor
dination, and paying premium for incompe
<opcv
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

MUsKErs IS. RIyLEs.-The rage of rifles
among volunteer regiments has subsidized, and
smooth bore muskets are coming into favor
again. Several Ohio regiments have volun-
tarily petitioned to be furnished with the old
arms. The rife is not easily kept in order,
and it is questionable among military men
whether it is capable of doing as much SER
vice in battle as the regulation musket.-
Experience is doing good deal to dispel err
roneous theories ir military matters.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
.~The number of Union soldiers nov

r~The number of Union soldiers now on
the sick list in the various camps and hospi
tails of the country is estimated at sixty thou
sand, which is in itself great army, but the
per centage is not large, being only about II
in each hundred. The sanitary regulations Of
the army are pronounced very defective and
behind the age, and the National Sanitary
Commission, to meet at Washington in few
days, will endeavor to reform and remodel the
cvStpm
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

~ Col. Henry Dougherty, Of the 22d
Illinois regiment, wounded and taken pris-
oner at Belmont, has been released by the
rebels Gen. Grant and military escort
going down the river, last week, on steamer,
to receive him from the rebels. Col. Dough
erty had a leg amputatcd at Columbus but is
convalescent and in fair way to recovery
No agreement has yet been reached as to our
other Belmont prisoners, whom the rebels
have sent to Memphis.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

New York MAYoRALTY.-lt is seriously
feared that the Mayoralty of New York will
have to be settled by the courts, so determined
are the opposition to defraud George Opayke
of his election. Fernando Wood is nowhere,
and he turns in to help Gunther, the other
Democratic candidate The returns of sever
al voting districts have been thrown out be-
cause the canvassers delayed to hand in their
lists within the twenty-four hours, and new
| votes have been discovered for Gunther,
with variety of spelling by all of which
means the returns are so amended, as, ii
is said, to give Gunther 7s majority.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
More Exchanges of Prisoners.

BosroN, Dec, Next week eleven officers
and 240 prisoners of the North Carolina reg
ment, suiTendered at Hatteras. will be sent
to Fortress Monroe, from Fort Warren, spd
released on parole. An equal number of our
men will be returned from Richmeaa,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

NORTHEAST M1ssouR1-Col. Moore has re-
turned again to Memphis, Mo, from Lancas-
ter, where he routed Blanton's gang of rebels
on the Oath ult. He thinks there will be no
more guerrilla fighting in Northeast Missouri
this winter. Besides, he has disarmed most
of the marauders, in addition to taking their
"oath of allegiance" He relies more upon
the former act for the preservation of peace
than upon the latter.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

The CorToN QUEsTIoN.-If the rebels car.
~ out their threats of burning up their cot,
ton crop to prevent its capture and confisca
ton, they will solve a question which has
been the source of some uneasiness and good
deal Of speculation. England will not, o.
course, try to break the blockade to get cot
ton after it is all destroyed. Again, if the
planters omit the next crop and adopt the
suggestion to plant corn, in order to supply
themselves with bread, the supply will be tot
small to justify war with the United State:
to obtain it. So, if We keep on with the war
the rebels will themselves solve both the cot
ton and the 'contraband" questions.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
~ jeff. Davis has appointed General He1

ry Heath, of Virginia Qate Colonel,) COM
mander of his department of Missouri u
thus superseding Gen. Price in that high Of
flee. Price has pitched his camp near Osce-
ola, and is receiving a constant stream Of
supplies from Lexington and the river coun-
ties. A train of fifty wagons passed down
with fifteen miles OF Sedalia, last week, with,
out being discovered or stopped by our
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

A COLLAPSE PREDIcTED.-Robert j. Walk
er, who is at Washington, asserts with great
positiveness that the rebel treasury will COM
pletely break down before next March, and
that the rebellion will by that time prove an
utter failure. Mr.. Walker has had an extern
sive experience in the South, and understands
the CAPABILITIES of the rebel States as well as
.nv public man not engaged in the rebellion.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

DEAD LETTERS Where The Rexpoa sibiHty
for miscarrying letters belongs. From the
report of the Postmaster General, we learn
that the whole number Of ordinary dead let
tiers received and examined during the year,
was about 2,55O,OOO. The number of these
letters containing money, which were regis
tered and sent out during TIL year ending
June 80, 1861, was 1O,5SO. The number Of
dead letters returned unopened to foreign
countries during the fiscal year, was Ill ,147,
which, added to the number of dome site let
tiers (1O3,8S0) sent out as above, gi-es the
whole number sent out from the dead letter
office for the year, 2l5,033.
The result of successful investigation in Z,
$50 cases, confirms the past experience OF the
Department, that the failure of letter to
reach its destination is, in the vast majority
of cases the fault alone Of the write: or SEN
der. Out of the above 1850 valuable dead
letters, 1905 were directed to the wrong office;
667 were imperfectly addressed; 6l2 were d.
rected to transient persons; 257 to parties
who had changed their residences; S2i were
addressed to fictitious persons Or. firms; SO
were uncalled for; 10 without any direction;
2,136 were not mailed for want of postage
stamps; 10 were missent; and for the failure
| Vi pOStllaSttIS W ucIlNct luz, itA
rea son was assigned. The Department, there,
fore, can justly be held responsible for the
non delivery of but 212 of these letters.
Much other valuable data is given on this
subject, and it is worthy of remark, that OUT
of rs, 767 letters before alluded to, originating
in the loyal States, and addressed 10 residents
Of disloyal States, 1000 could not be return
ed, either because the signature Of the writer
was incomplete, or because the letter contain.
ed no clue to his residence. The experience
of the Department shows that large proper
ton of domestic lett RS, written by educated
persons, and particularly by women, are def
cient in one or both of these respects.
In view of these and other facts, the Post
master General suggests that valuable dead
letters, when returned to their owners. should
be charged with treble the ordinary rates of
postage, comprising one rate for rettln trans
portaton to the dead letter Office, one rate for
registration there, and one rate for return
transportation to the writer's or owners.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

THE NATIONAL INvENToRY.-What o stu
pendous work free nation has accomplished
in seven months time for its own defence =
Remembering that in April last, we had only
.forty-t,co vessels, and five-hundred and fifty
guns in our navy, and a scattered land force
of about sixteen thousand men, look at the
National inventory at the present time, as
given in the official documents we have pub
Eshed
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

~Col. Lauman is recovering from his
wound and hopes to join his regiment in
few days.-Burlinoton Ha,Okeye, 9Th.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13

eg 1t has already become too palpable
for any one to deny that the removal OF Ere
mont. and the consequent abandonment OF his
plan for the campaign against Price, was
most importune step, and has resulted most
disastrously to Missouri. Western Missouri
is to-day scene Of woe, and wretchedness,
and horror that pen cannot describe, in con-
sequence of the interruption and breaking up
of Fremonts campaign by mischievous class
of men, Chicago Journal.
This is the silliest talk for sensible news
paper we have seen in long time. Is it pos
sible that the Journal, and those who talk
like it. are not aware that the prime reason
for the retreat of the Federal army from
South " estern Missouri was the want of sub
sistence? We have just had a conversation
with an intelligent gentleman who was in the
army that marched to Springfield, and back
again to Sedalia, and he assures us that there
was no possibility of maintaining the army
any longer in that region; and if they had
marched into Arkansas, their condition would
have been so much worse. There was no
prospect of overtaking Price short of the IN
terror of Arkansas-and though all disliked
the idea of retreat, they felt themselves forced
to it by circumstances.
If anybody is responsible for Price over
running Missouri at the present time, it ap-
pears to us that Fremont is the man, because
he failed to capture him when he had him in
his power at Lexington.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
ssBrOther Against Brother. ,

From the Cincinnati Commercial.
The divisions in distinguished Kentucky
families caused by the recent necessity of cit.
liens of that State to choose between loyalty
and treason is remarkable.
Hon. John j. Crittenden, for example, has
a nephew, BRIG Gen. T. L. Crittenden,) 10y.
al like himself, now commanding the import
ant division on the Green river, which con.
stitutes the right wing of our army in Ken
lucky, while son Geo. Crittenden) is Ma
ior General in the rebel service, commanding
an invading column in his tive State.
So the eldest son of Kentucky's great ad
vocate for the Union was recently arrested fol
treason, while his brother Thos. II. Clay, i:
stated to have preferred the complaint or
which the arrest was made, and while .
nephew, young Henry Clay, is an Assistant
Adjutant General in our army in Kentucky.
Prominent among the leaders and organi
zers of the Uuion party in Kentucky has beer
the we'll known George D. Prentice. His sol
Clarence Prentice Is an officer in the rebel or
my, which has threatened that his first worl
in Louisville, after taking possession of tn
city, shall be to hang the father.
Elk Governor Helm was recently arrested
for treason. His cousin is one OF the mos
reliable of Union men, now assisting the cen
trail column of our army by his knowledge 0
the country and the people.
The venerable Robert j. Breckenridge bu
the other day published a mastery defense 0
the Governments crushing denunciation 0
the traitor leaders of the rebellion. Anon
those traitors his scarcely less distinguishe
nephew, Ex-Vice President John G. Breckiu
ridge, has prominent place, is Brigade
General, and is now at the head of brigade
with the avowed object of subjugating hi
native State.
Ex-Governor Wickliffe ut yesterday urge
the expulsion Of colleague, charged onl
with sympathy for the rebels. His own sor
we are told, is in the rebel army.
And so the list might be extended, almos
at pleasure. No sadder illustration could b
found of the workings of civil war.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-13
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH
BUDGET OF NEWS FROM THE SUTH.


BUDGET OF NEWS FROM THE SUTH.
THE PIRATE SUMTER WRECKED.
The Rebels think our Forces are
Evacuatimg Cairo.
St. Louis City Officers Required to take
the Oath.
A FAST SAILING VESSEL SENT AFTER
THE NASHVILLE.
UNION FEELING STRONG IN
WESTERN TENNESSEE.
Slavery to be Abolished I'm Ky.
A BATTLE EXPECTED ON THE POTOMAC
Gen. Buffers Expedition Arrived al
Port Royal.
DOINGS OF THE REPUBLICAN CON
GRESSIONAL CAUCUS.
First Union Account Of
the Pickens Affair.
TERRIFIC effect OF THE ENEMY's
SHELLS!
Our Government Declines the
Alliance Against Mexico
More about the Union Feeling In
| North Carolina.
AUFORT OCCUPIED BY U. S. TROOPS
Escape of a Brother of Gen. Andersen
! from Texas.
EX-MINISTER FAULKNER GONE tt
RICHMOND.
FORT PULASKI TO BE STORMED