The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-26
QUIZ WASHINGTON LETTER.
ALL ABOUT MINNESOTA,

45s.,gf W. WASHINGTON, DecemDcr 10, 1862.
Senator WILKINSON gave notice yester-
day morning that he would to-day bring in
a bill to indemnify the persons who suffered
by the Sioux raid. 80 -" XIX.
Mr.. RICE introduced a joint resolution
directing the Postmaster General to order
semi-weekly service upon the route be-
tween st. Cloud and Pembina.
Mr.. RICE has been put upon the Com
mittee on Finance. He is now on the
Committee on Military Affairs, on Post
Offices and Post Roads, and on Public
Lands-four among the most important
committees in the Senate He will, evil
IDENTITY, have his hands full
A bill has been prepared by Judge USHER,
Acting Secretary Of the Interior, appropri-
ating one million five hundred thousand
dollars to indemnify the persons who have
sustained damages by the Sioux. 1t pro-
vides for the appointment Of three commits
sioners, who are to take testimony at such
places as will best accommodate those in
terested. 1t will probably soon become a
law. The money is to be taken from their
annuities.
1t is now contemplated to remove all of
the Sioux to the Upper Missouri-those at
Fort Smelling to go by water, the others
overland-the Government to start them
as farmers, &c. Those like OTHER-DAY
are to be consulted, and dealt with as may
be agreed.
A bill has also been drawn by Judge
USHER, providing for the removal by water
of the Winnebagoes, upon the opening of
spring, to the Little Missouri River, near
4S deg. north latitude. 1t is fine region,
Astounding in game-soil rich, and timber
and water good. The Indians there are
all friendly. A house will be built for
every family-iands plowed, tools and seeds
furnished, and troops kept constantly with
them for their protection. Mr.. CHARLES
CHouTEAU describes it as one of the best
sections for Indians in the whole country.
Tile WinnebagOes must go, not only for
the good of the whites, but for their own
safety. As for the Sioux, no peace will be
given the Government or them, until they
are sent so far from Minnesota that they
cannot be heard from.
The northern overland route will be
opened, as well as the valley of the Red
river Of the North. A bill was introduced by
Mr.. RICE, to-day, asking for a grant of
land to improve the Minnesota and Red
rivers, and to connect the same by canal,
or otherwise. The bill reads as follws:
4 bill granting public lands to the State of Ninne-
sofa, to aid in imp,oring the navigation of the
Minnesota and Red Rirer of the North connect
ing the same by a ctmA.
Be ,tenacted &C., That there be and is hereby
granted to the State of Minnesota the right Of
locating canal through any public lands in
that state, necessary to a canal to connect the
waters OF the Minnesota and Red rivers of the
North, and that two hundred feet of land in
width, extending along the line of such canal
be and the same is hereby granted to be used
by said state, or under the authority thereof,
for the construction of such canal and the APP
purtenances thereto, and the use thereof is
hereby vested in said state forever, for the pur-
pose aforesaid, and none other.
SEC. 2. And be 1t further enacted, That there
be and hereby is granted to the said State of
Minnesota, for the purpose of aiding said state
in constructing such canal and in improving the
navigation of the Minnesota and Red rivers of
the North, one million acres of land, unOccu-
pied and not otherwise appropriated within
said state to be selected by an agent or agents
to be appointed by the Governor of said state,
subject to the approval of the Secretary of
the Interior, which lands shall be subject to the
disposal OF the Legislature, for the purposes
aforesaid, and for no other; and the same ca
nal shall be and remain pnblic highway for
the use of the Government of the United States,
free from toll or other charge upon the vessels
of said Government engaged in the public SER
vice. or upon vessels employed by said Govern
ment in the transportation of any property or
troops of the United States
Sec. 8. ind be at further enacted, That the
said state shall be allowed to tax for the use of
said canal, only such tolls as shall be sufficient
to pay all necessary expenses for the care,
charge and repairs OF the same; and upon the
completion of One-fOurth of the work of said
canal to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the
Interior, he shall convey to the said state one
fourth of the number of acres of land herein
granted, and in similar instalments during the
progress of said work shall convey to the said
state as aforesaid, until it shall be completed,
and the said canal and rivers shall be made nav
igable from Shakopee in said state to the Brit
ish Possessions.
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs is
doing all he can to aid in the removal of
the Indians and Winnebagoes. He
is also doing all he can to aid in indemni-
tying persons who have suffered by the
Sioux raid. hope the PIONEER will rec
ognize his efforts. The articles against
him in the Press are considered here as
very i'll timed and unjust. Capt. SAUN-
DERs, Quartermaster and Commissary, is
being placed in funds to pay accounts
against the War Department.. ARGUS.
GENERALS AND PRIvATEs. "A recent
letter of Gen. Mcclellan, responsive to
vote of thanks from the Philadelphia Com
mon Council, contained this sentence