The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-04-24

Gov. Seymour has sent special mes
sage to the New York Legislature, saying
that ifa bill was passed permitting soldiers
to vote outside the State, without prev'-
obs amendment of the Constitution, he
should ret0 ii.
Rev. Charles Spear, of Boston, died
in Washington on Monday, the 18th inst.
Hewas distinguished as philanthropist, and
was the author of " Titles of Christ, Es-
say on the Punishment of Death, Essay
on Imprisonment for Debt" "Voices from
Prison." and for many years editor of the
periodical known as the "Prisoner's
Friend"
The order of Gen. Hooker reducing
the baggage of officers to the minimum
amount, caused large quantity of the sur
plus to be sent to Washington. An ex-
animation of it has resulted in the discov-
cry that large portion Of it consists OF ar
ticles taken from private residences at
Fredericksburg, during Burnside's assault
upon that city. This property will be seized
by the Provost Marshal, and turned over
to the Government.
"A negro has been appointed surgeon
in the United States army, with the rank
of Major, and made his appearance on
Thursday evening, in full uniform, at a
meeting in Washington of &c free Ameri-
cans of African descent"
There was quite serious fight at
Halifax, N. S., on the 10th. About 800
soldiers broke from the barracks and rush
ed into the street, assailing citizens, and
doing all the damage they could. The
fighting soon became indiscriminate be-
tween the citizens and soldiers, and sever
al were lost on both sides. A detachment
of the Royal artillery finally appeared and
drove the soldiers back to their barracks.
The Barnstable (Mass) Patriot Of the
18th instant, says that Henry H Crocker
of New York-late of the firm of Croker
&Sturgis, of Boston, which failed in 1857,
at the time owing the Barnstable Savings
Institution the sum of $9O0-last week
sent the treasurer of that institutiOn 81 100,
being the full amount of the debt with in
terest.
Henry Jumpertz, who narrowly es-
capped hanging in Chicago for the murder
of Sophie Werner, is said to be in Grants
army near Vicksburg, as an orderly ser
geant in the 18th U. S. infantry.
"A London correspondent learns that
the head gunner on the Alabama is one Of
the most accomplished artillerists that was
ever in the British navy. He was paid off
and got his discharge few weeks before
the Alabama sailed, and, instead of enlist
ing in her Majesty's navy, took commits
sion on the pirate at the very round sum
of two hundred pounds sterling month,
in gold, which, at the present price Of
Confederate paper, is the moderate salary
of forty-two thousand dollars year.
Really, piracy pays; or, at any rate, it
appears to-, for the time being.
Judge Isbell, of the Sth Iowa judicial
district, has declared the law Of that State
authrizlng soldiers absent from the State
to vote, to be unconstitutional. Although
a Republican, he states that he cannot
deny the fragrant illegality of the law.
General Burnside, on his recent visit
to his native place, West Liberty, Indiana,
said, in a speech to his old friends:
l have entered into the service from an hon.
est conviction of duty. For all | am, owe to
my government; and / am ready to give all
my services and my life, if necessary, to my
country's cause. No patriot will do less, be-
cause the Government happens to be admins
tered by an Administration that is not his
choice / was a supporter Of the Buchanan
Administration, but, when war was made upon
my Government, | felt it no less my duty TO
give it my support, because it had passed into
other hands, than if it had remained in his.
Gen. Pope. at Milwaukee, has issued
the following general order:
Died at Clifton Springs New York, on Tues
day the 18th inst, Colonel Benjamin s. WEIGH,
Jr., Aide-de-Camp, and member of the Staff
Of the Major General Comm; ndi lg this De
partment.
Colonel Welch joined the staff of the Army
of Virginia in July, 1862, and in the fatigue
and exposure of the ensuing campaign were
sown the seeds of that disease which has taken
him away in the prime of life and in the midst
of his usefulness. In his death the country will
mourn Jealous patriot the army a brave sol
der, and his associates a courteous gentleman
and kind friend.
The officers at these Headquarters will weal
the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
The Democrats have carried the city
of Hartford, Connecticut, by $50 majority
They elected IA Counclmen and Alder
men. The Republicans elected 10 Coun
cilmen and Aldermen. One Alderman
| tie.
The military commission under Gen
Mcdowell at St. Louis are obtaining evi
dence strongly duplicating Gen. Curtis a
a cotton Spectator. Maj. Mckinney
Major Curtis, and Capt. Gurlee, member
of his staff, were all involved in the trade
and the general tenor of the evidence
that the General would grant permits whel
the vendors would sell to Mckinney AM