The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-20
FROM WASHINGTON.
Special Dispatch to The Saint Paul Pioneer.

Inc freSldentS Message, Will aCCOih-
panying statements of officers of the In
terror Department, in response to House
resolution of December last, inquiring into
the causes of the outbreak of the Indian
tribes of the Northwest, gives no adequate
cause for mischief and outrages of such
magnitude.
Evidences of a premeditated design in
their ATTACKS is not satisfactory. The
Sioux brooded over and complained of
misunderstanding treaty stipulations; but
their agent, Mr.. Galbraith, had appre-
hended no unusual difficulty up to the
time of the outbreak. They appeared to
cooperate cordially in preparations made
for their civilization and material advance
ment.
Messengers had been sent to other
tribes, even to Selkirk settlement, to an
nounce their declaration ofwar, and to de-
mand their assistance but there is no evil
dence of the existence OF reasonable
ground for such expectations.
The Secretary of the Interior thinks the
chief or immediate cause was an unfortu-
nate affair, in which few reckless young
Indians became involved, through the use
of spirituous liquors, at Acton.
This occurred at q time when their
minds were infamed by accounts given by
reckless or malicious persons, OF bloody
conflicts in the United States, affirming
that the Government was broken up, that
their annuities would not be paid, and they
must take care of themselves This ex-
element added to disaffection, that hav
ing parted with their lands, evidently led
them to repossess their hunting grounds.
The threatened difficulties with the Chip
pewas, was happily arrested. The quarrel
was personal, between the agent and prin-
cipal chief of the Mississippi bands.
The Message is accompanied by inter-
esting and circumstantial details of mas
sacre by Agent Galbraith and George H.
Spencer, and a report of Colonel Sibley.
The report of Senator Wilson, from the
Military Committee, in answer to resolu-
ton of inquiry into the case of Richard
Thomas, of Maryland, alleged to be insane
from i'll usage, while q prisoner of war,
states that he was placed in confinement
December LIST, 1861, and after March Sd,
1862, he was kept in close quarters.
He attempted to escape in April by
jumping overheard and swimmingto Long
Island shore, since which time he has not
been out of his room except during q visit
from his mother permitted by the Secre-
tary of War. lie is allowed to communi-
cate only with officers Of the guard and
fort, through whom he can procure any
food he desires in addition to his rations.
Having taken advantage Or paper and
books TO communicate with persons out
side, he is not allowed privilege of their
| use.
The Surgeon reports his health as gene
rally good, better by his own confession
than when he was first imprisoned. He
considers the prisoner mentally sane but
regards him as eccentric.
Adiutant General Townsend reports
him as indicted by grand jury of Mary
land district for treason, and for attempt
ing to seize the Mary Washington; and
quotes the opinion of Gen. Dix that he
should be treated as a pirate and a spy.
There are witnesses to first crime and evil
dence to second charge consists in his be-
ing taken in the disguise Of female, with
a commission as Colonel in active volun-
teer forces of Virginia upon his person.
In consequence of such report, he is
now held as a prisoner Of war, and was
placed in close confinement for des-
perate attempt to escape.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
| Gen. Fremont has again demanded to
be placed in active service somewhere,
and is not particular where. If not speed
lily employed he will resign. He was in
the Senate to-day.
Chase's friends figure clear majority
for his bill in the House.
At the last meeting the Ways and Means
Committee stood three for, and five
against a reduction of paper duty. Since
then, Mr.. Stevens, and another favor re-
duction or suspension for one year. The
bill will probably pass in some such shape.
WASHINGTON, February Is.
The President and the Secretary of War
are maturing a plan for the organizing of
fighting blacks.
Lieut.. Colonel David, of Fosters staff,
arrived to-day from Port Royal, with dis
patches. He speaks enthusiastically of the
progress of matters South.