The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-20

D. BLAKELY, Secretary of State.
Perils Of Cotton Planting and other
SpeculatiOns on the Lower Mis-
sissippi.
Mr.. J. F. MORTON, under date of Vicks-
burg, May 5, has addressed a long letter
to the PIONEER replying to many letters
he has received from citizens of Anoka and
St. Paul in relation to the prospects for
cotton planting and other business in that
section:
FIRsT-In relation to cotton growing. There
guerillas, and nothing ever said about it; then
again it is common for the planter to lose his
mules and all his supplies; then again he has
the changes in the Union military occupation,
as for instance: Big Black and Haynes Bluff
have been military posts, and the plantations
between these points and Vicksburg have
been much sought after, and thought to be
surest Of protection. Large investments were
made, cotton was coming up finely, and the
grower was dreaming golden dreams nightly
when 10, he wakes up one fine morning and
finds q new general in command, and he has
ordered the evacuation of both the above
named points-even the retiring troops are in
sight; in an hour he will be within the Con-
federacy. A rush is made for his stock he
plies he follows in the wake of the retiring
forces, casting long an lingering looks upon
his fading hopes of wealth.
AN HOUR IN THE PROVOST MARSHAL's OFFICE
A prisoner is brought in looking pale, bag
gard and care-worn; he approaches the Pro-
vost Marshal and states his case -" I am
| planter j have leased plantation on the Mis-
sissippi, above Vicksburg. The Marine fleet
came along, arrested me, and cOnfiscated all
my supplies, and brought me here prisoner"
| What are you charged with?
am loyal man, sir. have papers from
so and 80, attempting to show them.
| do not wish to see your papers, sir what
have you done?
why, sir, 1 was threatened by the gueril-
las, and was forced to sell woman two pairs
DISH oes; | could not help it, sir; was forced
to do it. lam loyal man and do not wish to
do anything contrary to regulations
| Your loyalty has nothing to do with the
case, sir; you say you are guilty. .-l
could not help doing as did, sir. Can
| get my goods from the feet ? / am poor
man, sir, trying to make living.
I have nothing to do with that, sir. will
fine you $780, and you may think yourself for
tunate in getting off SO easily
In comes man with two ladies under
guard. They live in the neighborhood of va
zoo City. la
Guard-I have brought these people here
for trying to take out of the lines letter
which was not permitted or endorsed by the
| military.
P. Introduce your letters.
Prisoner herewith pulls out about one hum
bred letters, all endorsed but one nice little let
ter P. M. opens it, reads few lines; stops
and asks why this letter had not been endorsed
| like the others.
Prisoner-It was overlooked, sir.
| P. M-How did you come by it?
Prisoner-The young lady gave it to this
young lady, and she gave it to me.
P. M. to Young Lady-Do you know what
this letter contains
Young Lady-No, sir.
p. ?: M: to Young e.: iady-Do you know the
! Young Lady-Yes, sir, I stopped at her
house while was in the city.
| P. M.-Why did you not keep the letter
yourself, and not give it to this gentleman.
l thought, sir, as he had all the rest /
would give it to him.
| AA PuttiuS Iue IeICeT III HIS pOckcC)-l
will look into this matter. You cannot leave
the city for the present.
Next comes beautiful Southern belle to the
| Provost Marshal:
Sir; | wish pass for the city?
Z; M.-Haye you taken the oath?
the head she replies, "No, sir"
| P. M.-Wm you take it.
No, sir, will not.
Have you taken q parole?
No, sir, and will not if can help it.
T. NJ cannot give you pass, madam, I'M
Well, sir, wilrtake it, but 1t almost kills
me to do it.
The weather is very warm here. health pen-
orally good. Strawberries and vegetables are