The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-03

an entertainment to the Prince, 10 tell Cne
Duke of Newcastle be (Seward) was likely
to occupy high Office. That when he did
80, it would become his duty to insult Eng
land, and he should insult her accordingly
The Times accumulates evidence of q
long cherished intention on the part OF Mr..
Seward to do England an injury.
In another leader on international affairs
the Times advises the Federal Government
to make peace in time, before it is commits
ted to triple war, viz with the confeder'
ates, the British, and its own abolitionists.
A telegram from Brussels, of the 18th, to
the Times, says there is rumor in diplo.
matte circles that mediation in the Amer.
can conflict will be offered by King Leo
pold. z5 ..., $50 .e-;1t
The Morning Post says there is no truth
in the rumor that General SCOTS sudden
return home was the theme of much specu~
lation. 1t was generally reported that he
had gone on q sort OF mission from the
French Government to the Washington
Cabinet. The Herald's Paris correspondent
says he had long interview with M. Thou.
venal before bis departure.
The general impression in financial cir
Giles was that Gen. Scott carried out mo.
mentOus communication from the French
Government.
It is estimated that about 10000 troops
are to be sent to Canada to be ready to
take the field Immediately on landing,
The British Government continued to
charter all available ste.m
Two batallions of British guards were
expected to sail on the 18th in steamers
Adriatic and Parada, under command of
Lord F. Paulet.
Orders have been issued for the hasty man.
ufacture of 1000 pack saddles, and pro-
portionate number of ambulance wagons
and cars for despatch to Canada.
The united prayer meeting at Exeter
Hall took place the 18th as announced.
Rev. Baptist Noel and other ministers par
ticipated in the proceedings, and fervent
prayers were offered up for peace.
Lord SALISBURY declined to attend the
meeting, stating in his reply to the invita-
ton, that it would be interpreted by the
bulk of the press, and by America as
cloaked rebuke to the British Government,
and favor the opinion that the country was
united in this serious question. He com.
mended the purpose of the meeting, but
thought it would be better carried into eff.
feet by private and congregational means.
At meeting of the Congregational
Board resolutions were adopted deprecat-
ing hostilities and calling for arbitration if
diplomacy fails to secure peace.
1t was asserted that Prince NAPOLEON
continued to argue against the recognition
of the Southern States, and that he was in
strumental in causing General Scott to 20
to Washington.
The Paris correspondent of the Post as.
serts that peaceful anticipations prevailed
among Americans in Paris, and says Minis
ter Dayton and Consul Bigelow used all
their influence, combined with that of Gen.
Scott, to inspire 'conciliatory counsels at
Washington. He asserts that the French
Government desired peace between England
and America.
The same writer, also, in reference to
General SCOTS return, says it is not impos
sible that France, if asked, may become the
mediator, and at the same time the
laws of neutrals may be revised, provided
England, according to the wishes of other
European Governments, agrees to O modi6.
cation of the existing code.
Globe says NJ. Thouvenals dispatch to M.
MERCER at Washington is known to have
confined the federal Executive to simple
dilemma-are the Southerners belligerents
or rebels !? They have been fatty refused
any rights in the first capacity, and in the
second, the right of protection acquired by
political refugees has been set at naught,
and France must make the case of the Trent
substantially her own.
The Paris Press says Gen. SCOTS mis-
sion appears to have been arranged so as to
allow him time to fulfill it before the ulti-
matum of England is RENTED to the fed
eral government, and perhaps to modify the
nature of his step on the part of England.
The Pays asserts on the contrary that
the English ultimatum will be of an absos
lutte character.
FRANcE.-The monthly statement of the
Bank of France shows an increase of cash
on hand of nearly $4O,0OOOOO. Bourse
heavy, rather lower than on the 18th;
Rentes closing at 67f Coo.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius con-
tinued and houses were falling in Ferre del
Greco and the village was in immediate
danger of destruction by lava. All COM
munication between places in the vicinity
of the mountain were interrupted. Earth
quakes were frequent in the Bay of Naples.
The sea had receded so metres.
JAPAN-Afairs in Japan we're unsatis-
factory. The European representatives
were awaiting instructions from their gov.
eminent.
LATEsT--L1vERPooL, Dec. l4-The Lon.
don Times publishes letter from Thurlow
Weed, the main object of which is to defend
the American Government, and Mr. Seward
in particular, from all hostile intentions to-
ward England, and disclaims, on behalf of
Mr.. Seward, any unfriendly feelings or in
tents towards her, and says that the threats
Of insulting England which Mr.. Seward
made to the Duke of Newcastle was merely
idle talk or badinage.
Mr.. Weed says be believes if England's
dispatch to Lord Lyons is peremptory in
tone it will meet with peremptory refusal.
He appeals for moderate counsel on both
sides as the only method of avoiding colli>
sion.