The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-07
News from Washington.

GENERAL BUTLER'S EXPEDITION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1ribw1se's special
states that letters continue to be received
from eminent bankers favoring the legal
tender bill.
There is reason to believe that Genera
Butler was assured before he left Washing.
ton that he should have Major Generals
commission as well as title. He will leave
several brigades at point on the southern
coast not now occupied by Union soldiers.
The capture will be more important than
any yet made. Secretary Stanton insisted
that Butler should have what he wanted,
although Mcclellan disapproved.
FORT PULASKI INVESTED.
Fort Pulaski is now thoroughly invested.
Gen. Sherman daily has reports OF all that
he chooses to att ,ck it.
EFFORT TO MAKE GEN. SIGEL A MAJOR
GENERAL.
Times despatch "A movement is max
ing here by members of Congress from tie
west and northwest, headed by Frank P.
Blair and Mr.. Arnold to have Gen. Sigel
made Major General. 1t will probably
be successful.
NORTHERN LAKE DEFENCES.
The Herald says the Select Committee
on the defences and Notifications of the
great lakes and rivers are prepared to make
a report. They will recommend the erec-
ton of such fortifcation at Mackinaw as
will make it the Gibralter, as it is really
the key of our northwestern frontier. Their
report will provide also for the establishment
of a naval department and national armory
upon Lake Michigan, probably at or near
Chicago, and that preparations be immedi-
ately made for the accumulation OF the ne.
whole of the American vessels engaged in the
commerce OF the northern lakes.
1t is estimated that there are in this
trade 1000 American vessels to 300 British,
and l5, O00American sailors to {, 1000 British.
1t is represented by the committee that the
majority of the population of the loyal
States is west OF the Allegheny mountains !;
that the line of lake coast exceeds the whole
length of our Atlantic coast, and that our
commerce on the lakes is greater than our
whole foreign trade.
10 complete the defenses and render
communication with all portions in the
Northwest secure from interruption by a
foreign foe, it will also be recommended
that a military railroad shall be immediate
" constructed from the mouth of the Me-
nominee river, situated on Lake Michigan,
to Marquette, on Lake Superior, and that
a ship canal sha be built from Chicago
to the Mississippi river. 1t is said that
these recommendations have the approval
of General Mcclellan.
The report will probably be made on
Tuesday.
RUMOR THAT GEN. BANKS WILL SU.
PERSEDE MIR. WELLES.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2--[Herald's Dis
patch. ]--Gen. Banks is here. Rumor says
there is a probability of his assuming
charge of the Navy Department.
TONE OF FOREIGN DISPATCHES.
The snow across the river is from four
to six inches deep.
Notwithstanding the tone of some foreign
journals on the stone blockade, &C., des
patches received at the State Department
are regarded conclusive, of a complete res.
toratiOn and good feeling with the Govern.
ments of England and France and other
Continental States.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MORGAN
CASE.
A new development in reference to the
Morgan purchase of vessels for the Govern
ment, has just been made. 1t appears that
before the Savannah steamers were sold, the
owners agreed to give certain broker two
per cent if he would sell the property to the
Government. He sold to Morgan to whom
he paid two and half per cent. The
broker now sues the owners for bis two per
cent. The owner contests the claim and
insists that he is not bound to pay and de-
clares he can prove that plan was formed
by some parties to fleece the Government
in the purchase of these ships by making
five per cent, an exorbitant price.
FOREIGN RECOGNITION OF THE CON.
FEDERATE STATES.
Private letters received in Washington
from persons abroad confirm the impress
sion that the Governments of England,
France and Spain mediate an early recog.
milton of the independence Of the Confede-
rate States. This recognition it will be
pretended is made in the cause of humanity.