The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-11
News and other Items.

gress two hundred men commenced opera.
lions on the United States sloop-of. war
Roanoke Monday. She is to be raced and
converted into an iron-clad battery, similar
| to and more formidable than the Merrimac
1t will not be long before she will be ready
for service. The Roanoke was one of the
vessels in Hampton Roads at the time the
Merrimac came out. She is an exact mate
of the original Merrimac and built in the
same year, but exceeds her measurement
by 200 tons.
The Chicago Tribune has taken espec-
ial pains ever since there has been fighting
near Winchester to herald in large type
General Banks victories" Considering
that General Banks was not at the battle
or either of them, bis share in the victory
was not very great. General Banks has
issued a general order giving his thanks to
the men and officers for the victory. But
Secretary Stanton, in bis thanks, overlooked
the commanding major general, and address.
ed the subordinate officers and men direc.
tly.
Captain Ericsson's model of a sea 90.
ing Monitor, $40 feet long. has reached the
Navy Department. 1t is similar in con-
struction to its little namesake, now lying
wait for the mailed monster, which is mo-
mentarily expected from Norfolk. Like
that, it has but one propeller, and single
turret. The Department inclines to favor
two propellers and two turrets for vessel
of this size. A Board to examine and re-
port upon the numerous plans and models
which have responded to the Secretary of
the Nays advertisement has been consti.
tuted.
"A letter from Nashville says some en-.
terprising Yankee can make a speculation
by bringing supply of kerosene oil down
here as soon as circumstances will allow.
Lights are almost obsolete. Tallow candles
have been the only resource for mouths out
side of the city-where good gas is fur
nished-and prices are unprecedented. Half
dollar pound is very reasonable price.
Fifteen and twenty cents apiece have been
paid for tallow candles Oil is exhausted
beyond redemption. The last that was sold
went at the rate of fur dollars a gallon,
and there is none here now, even at that
price.
The Commissioner of the General Land
Office is in receipt of the returns of the
public surveys in Minnesota, situated in
Townships l29 north of ranges Sc, 81 and
80 west of the fifth principal meridian.
These townships embrace the following
lakes, viz.
Lake Ida, covering an area of about 5000
| acres.
Lake Carlos, covering an area of about
5000 acres.
The lands surveyed are represented by
the surveyors to be of first rate quality.
The Long Prairie River is deicribed as
possessing water privileges, and the quality
of timber in pwnship 1919, N. R. 81 w.,
is stated to b. the best in the State.
The gratual decline in the trade of
Boston for sw years past, is directing at
tention to the necessity for improving the
railway connection of that city with the
West. The Boston Post urges immediate
action. 1t says: "Give US forty>fve
foot grade insead of eighty>iour, between
Boston and Toy, and shorten the route
twenty miles, AID the work is nearly done"
Though in resect to distance Boston has
the advantage d New York in the trade
with LiverpoC, and has extensive local
manufactures se fails to maintain her rela-
tive importance as commercial city.
AT late pview of General Franklin's
and General Kings divisions, south of the
Potomac, Lord Lyons and the Prince de
Joinville, accompanied by large number
of ladies and MEMBERS of the diplomatic
corps, were in attendance, together with
several British tOlonels of note, and officers
Of the Coldstrea1 Grenadier Guards. Gen.
Mcclellan, withhis entire staff, was also on
the field, and WIS everywhere received with
the utmost enthusiasm The British eff
GERS expressed geat surprise at the superb
or stature, drill.nd general appearance of
the men, and delafed the troops to be IN.
excelled in all he elements of efficiency.
Lord Lyons exposed the greatest admira-
ton of the fine physique of the men, and
regarded them the finest troops he had
ever seen. Thos divisions are composed
principally of Western men.
"A Washington dispatch says it is
worthy of note in connection with the
news from FlGida, that the Assistant
Treasurer received yesterday morning his
first remittance flm any of the Gulf States
since their secessio. Mr.. George Phillips,
the Postmaster al Port Jefferson, Florida,
has forwarded ST., this being due the Gov
u