The President has at last consented to send troops for the protection of
Wilmington--Martin's brigade; and also Clingman's, from Charleston, if
the enemy should appear before Wilmington.

I read to-day an interesting report from one of our secret agents--Mr.
A. Superviele--of his diplomatic operations in Mexico, which convinces
me that the French authorities there favor the Confederate States cause,
and anticipate closer relations before long. When he parted with
Almonte, the latter assured him that his sympathies were with the South,
and that if he held any position in the new government (which he does
now) he might say to President Davis that his influence would be exerted
for the recognition of our independence.

Mr. Jeptha Fowlkes, of Aberdeen, Miss., sends a proposition to supply
our army with 200,000 suits of clothing, 50,000 pairs of shoes, etc.
etc. from the United States, provided he be allowed to give cotton in
return. Mr. Randolph made a contract with him last year, of this nature,
which our government revoked afterward. We shall see what will be done
now.

It is positively asserted that Gen. Bragg has arrested Lieut.-Gen.
(Bishop) Polk and Brig.-Gen. Hindman, for disobedience of orders in the
battle of Chickamauga.

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT DAVIS--The Mobile papers publish the following
letter from President Davis to the "Confederate Society," of Enterprise,
Miss.:

"RICHMOND, VA., Sept. 17th, 1863.

"J. W. HARMON, ESQ., SECRETARY OF THE CONFEDERATE SOCIETY,
ENTERPRISE, MISS.

"SIR:--I have received your letter of the 22d ult., inclosing a
copy of an address to the people of the Confederate States, calling
upon them to unite in an effort to restore and maintain the par
value of the currency with gold by forming societies of citizens
who will engage to sell and buy only at reduced prices. The object
of the address is most laudable, and I sincerely hope for it great
success in arousing the people to concerted action upon a subject
of the deepest importance. The passion for speculation has become a
gigantic evil. It has seemed to take possession of the whole
country, and has seduced citizens of all classes from a determined
prosecution of the war to a sordid effort to amass money. It
destroys enthusiasm and weakens public confidence. It injures the
efficiency of every measure which demands the zealous co-operation
of