Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-08-29
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
August %. {
To Hon Horace Greeley:
Deor Sir:-I have just received yours of
the 10th inst, addressed to myself through
the New York Tribune. If there be in it any
statements or assumptions of fact which
may know to be erroneous, do not now and
here controvert them. If there be any infer
ences which may bell We to be falsely drawn,
I do not now and here argue against them
If there be perceptiblc in it an impatient tone,
| waive it in Difference to an old friend whose
heart | have always supposed to be right.
As to the policy seem to be pursuing, as
you say, | have not meant to leave it to any
one in doubt would save the Union. !
would save it in the shortest way under
the Constitution The sooner the National
authority can be restored, the nearer the
Union will be the Union as it was. If there
be those who would not save the Union unless
they could save at the same time slavery, do
not agree with them. If there be those who
would not save the Union unless they could
at the same time destroy slavery, | do not
agree with them. My paramount object is to
save the Union-and not either to save or
destroy slavery. If | could save the Union
without freeing any slaves, would do it; and
if could save it by freeing all the slaves, |
would do it. and if | could save it by freeing
some and leaving others alone, | would also
do that What | do about slavery and the
colored race, do because | believe it helps
save this Union and what forbcar, forbear
because do not believe it would help to save
the Union shall do less whenever shall
believe what am doing hurts the cause; and
shall do more whenever believe doing more
will help the cause. shall try to correct err
rors when shown to be errors. shall adopt
new views so fast as they shall appear to BE-
true views
have here stated my purpose according te
my view of official duty, and | intend nc
modification of my oft-cxprcssed persona
wish that all men, every where, could be free
A. LINCOLN
FORTRESS MONROE, Aug 81
Williamsburg was evacuated by the Union
troops at O'clock yesterday afternoon. Thc
rear guard was under command Of Maj. Stet
son, and consisted of five companies of the
Fifth Pennsylvania. 1t is reported that vii
liamsburg was burned last evening, but il
needs confirmation
ST. PAUL. Aug. %
Mr. Porter, from Mankota, reached here
last night, and states that scouts estimate the
number of whites already killed by the Sioux
at five hundred-the estimate being based
upon the number of dead bodies discovered
along the road and trails, and are believed tc
be nearly all missionaries. The civilized In
dams exceeded their savage brethren in atroc-
tiles Mr.. Frencan, interpreter, who has
spent most of his life among the Indians, vol
untecred to go alone, trusting to his knowl-
edge of the Indians and his disguise, to escape
detection. Dressed in painted savage style,
he arrived at Upper.Agency last night The
place was literally habitation Of death lie
visit~d al the houses, and saw their former
occupants lying dead, some on door-steps,
some inside, and others scattered about the
yards He wen, to the house of j. r. Bown,
and recognized every member of his family,
eighteen in all, lying murdered
He visited Beaver Creek and found fifty
families He went to every house and recog-
nized the bodies-ncarly all former inhabi-
tants Among those he rccogI lied at Agen-
cy were Mr.. Giyens and family, Mr. Gal
brath and children, DR., Wakefield and family,
John Todden's family, John and Edward
Mayor and two missionaries-RevD DR.. VII
liams and Rev Mr. Riggs.
Ex-Gov. Sibley is now marching to their
relief.
The commander at Fl. Ridgely reports that
the Sioux bands united in carrying out a con
ccrted and desperate scheme, and says ne
will be only too happy to find powerful upper
bo,>1r Of In ,,it,J .l,,,,,
Mr.. Frencan, the disguised interpreter,
writes TO Gov. Ramsay, from Henderson,
Dist, that he left Fl Ridgely at 5 A. NJ. There
were then 1000 Indians around the fort, and
the wooden buildings were burning. He
thinks other tribes are joining the Sioux and
will present a formidable array.
A reliable letter, dated Mcleod, DIST, says
the injury done by the stampede Of settlers is
immense, and like scene of woe can hardly
be found in the South as that in Mcleod,
Mecker, northern part of Siblcy, and other
counties In St. Paul and the adjoining
country, all available horses are being gather
ed up. and all sorts Of weapons will be used
by willing hands for immediate and summary
punishment of these Indians
SAN Francisco, Aug. r.
The Inhabitants Of Port Townsend, Wash
ingtnn Territory, age intensely excited in con-
sequence of the removal of the Custom House
to Port Angeles.
The new post, crested by Congress opposite
Victoria, they threatened with resistance, and
only gave up the Custom House records when
the war ship Shubrick threatened to fire a
broadside in case Of any further demonstra-
ons.
The population Of Port Town.ssenl have
$40, 900 worth Of taxable property. Port
Angeles has no population or houses, but has
a good harbor.
SAN Francisco, Aug. 81.
The steamer Son IRA, for Panama, sailed
with 100 passengers, and 1920, 900 in treasure
for New York, and $2,50O0,O0 for England
The political canvass in California is becom-
ing exciting. Latham is stumping the State,
and is pretty well received by both wings of
the Democracy, but bitterly opposed by the
The probabilities are that the Republicans
will secure majority in the Legislature,
though the contest bids fair to be close. The
breckenridge Democrats make no nominations
for the Legislature, and now support the
Union or Latham ticket in the different coun-
ties.
A large portion of the town of Bear Valley,
in Gen. Fromont's Mariposa estate, including
the St. Charles Hotel and Government block,
were destroyed by fire on the 18th. Loss not
known .....
d. SAN Francisco, Aug. %.
Considerable quantities of gold is arriving
at Los Angeles, from the new Colorado Mines,
situated southeast Of the Colorado, 60 miles
north Of Fort Yuma, and 100 miles south of
Mohave, extending indefinitely into unex-
plored country, occupied by hostile Indians.
About 3Oo Americans, and 700 Mexicans, are
engaged in prospecting with such encouraging
indications that emigration ill that direction
IS very considerable This must result in tn.
exploration of an extensive region OF country