The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-05-08


dred men. In addition to this, several ar
rests have been made recently of various
parties, on the charge Of carrying con-
cealed weapons. These arrests have con-
siderable significance in them, and are
ominous of some sort of mischief with
these local traitors.
The bridge over the Hudson river at
Albany is to be built at once. The bridge
is to be owned, one-half by the New York
Central Railroad, and one-quarter each by
the Hudson River and Western MASS }
roads.
There are now about five thousand
contrabands at Alexandria, and more are
coming. Those of them not employed in
the Quartermaster's Department are put
out in gangs for the cultivation of the
abandoned plantations.
AT Leavenworth, Kansas, one Colonel
Oantwell, dwarf, is on exhibition. He
is nineteen years old, forty inches high,
and weighs thirty-two and a half pounds.
General Prentiss, in speech to the
Helena troops, on the 18th inst, told them
he was in favor of using jackasses as well
as niggers, to suppress the rebellion, if
it were necessary. Lincoln evidently
thought the same when he nominated
Prentiss for a Brigadier.
The new steamboat Dictator, built by
John Ellis & Son for the New Jersey
Steamboat Company, to run between this
city and Albany, was launched from the
foot of Tenth street, East River, yester-
day, at noon. This is said to be the long
est steamboat ever built. Her dimensions
are as follows Length, 4O7 feet; extreme
breadth, SO feet; depth Of hold, 10a feet.
She is intended to draw but five feet of
water, when fully loaded, and will thus
be able to cross the bar at all stages of
the water. She has three saloon decks,
with 800 state rooms, and will be able to
accommodate 1000 passengers.-Neo
YorA: Times, 24M.
AT a recent meeting of the United
Service Institute, London, Mr.. Lancaster,
the well known artillerist, stated that he
had recently seen in America 40O-pounder
shells of cylindrical form, and hollow
headed, fired from an eighteen ton gun,
which pierced plates of iron nine inches
thick, at long ranges.
The expenses of the Prince Of Wales
wedding foot up 1855 pounds. Of this
10000 pounds were for travelling expenses,
improvements at Windsor 5000 pounds
public Examinations 1000, and opening of
theatres to the people 1856 pounds.
Over 10000 tons of ice have been
taken out OF the Kennebec River, in Maine,
during the season, most of which is to go
to New Orleans and Havana. Contractors
have agreed to deliver some $4,000 tons
at the former city at $25 per ton.
Mr.. Upper, in his "gushinn ode in
honor of the Princess of Wales, offering
exactly Isl, 800, 900 welcomes and 1000,
900 smiles. There are few persons who
could "gush - so much and live so long as
Martin F. Upper.
1t is rumored that Gen. Bowen, now
Provost Marshal at New Orleans, is dis
satisfied with that position, and is about
to return to New York, to resume his po-
sition at the head of the Metropolitan Po-
lice Department the right to which he still
retains.
The Prince of Wales like Gen. Tom
Thumb, has decided to make public ex-
hibition of the rich wedding presents
which he and his bride has received.
A fire at Moline, Illinois, on Thurs
day of last week, destroyed the sash and
blind factory of Keator g. Skinner. Loss
$4,000; no insurance.
Among the bills reported upon favor
ably in the New York State Senate, is
one incorporating the Anglo-African
Bank" The Albany papers say that this
means bank with negroes for coporators.
The name of the Rochester forger is
Milan Sorberger, wool dealer. He VIC
timized the Rochester Bank to the tune of
$1,000 or ST., 900. and then left for Eu-
rope.
"A Posr-OFFlcE WITH REVOLVING
TURREr.-Col A. N Van Alstine has been
removed from the Postmaster-ship at Can
ajoharie, and John O. Smith, President
of the Canajoharie Bank has been appoin-
ted in his stead. Van Alstine's name was
among the first of appointments under the
Lincoln Cabinet. Then he was removed
and Brown Stafford appointed in his stead.
Then Mr.. Stafford was removed and Mr.
Van Alstine re-appointed. Then again
Mr.. Van Alstine was removed and anOth-
er gentleman given the place. Then the
other gentleman was removed and Van
Alstine reinstated. Finally, by way OF va
riety, Van Alstine is removed and John
Smith-we've heard the name before
became the lucky Enthusiastically Star
and Union.
The Chattanooga Rebel says the eye
of President Davis is fixed on Tennessee. u
The Rebel does not say aoAicA eye, but in
asmuch as one of Jetf's eyes is totally