nse of the capital. In
the absence of Custis Lee, Col. Brown, the English aid of the President,
commanded the brigade, much to the disgust of many of the men, and the
whole were reviewed by Gen. Elzey, still more to the chagrin of the
ultra Southern men.

The Secretary seems unable to avert the storm brewing against the
extortioners; but permits impressments of provisions coming to the city.

It is said the President and cabinet have a large special fund in
Europe. If they should fall into the hands of Lincoln, they might suffer
death; so in the event of subjugation, it is surmised they have provided
for their subsistence in foreign lands. But there is no necessity for
such provision, provided they perform their duty here. I cut the
following from the papers:

"The Vicomte de St. Romain has been sent by the French Government to
ours to negotiate for the exportation of the tobacco bought for France
by French agents.

"The Confederate States Government has at last consented to allow the
tobacco to leave the country, provided the French Government will send
its own vessels for it.

"The latter _will_ send French ships, accompanied by armed convoys.

"To this the United States Government objects _in toto_.

"Vicomte de St. Romain is now making his way to New York to send the
result of his mission, through the French Consul, to the Emperor.

"The French frigates in New York are there on this errand."

OCTOBER 11TH.--I attended a meeting of "mechanics" and citizens at the
City Hall last night. The prime mover of this organization is E. B.
Robinson, some twenty years ago one of my printers in the _Madisonian_
office. It was fully attended, and although not so boisterous as might
have been expected, was, nevertheless, earnest and determined in its
spirit. Resolutions instructing Mr. Randolph (State Senator, and late
Secretary of War) to vote for a bill before the General Assembly
reducing and fixing the prices of the necessities of life, were passed
unanimously; also one demanding his resignation, in the event of his
hesitating to obey. He was bitterly denounced by the speakers.

I understood yesterday, from the butchers, that they have been buying
beef cattle, not from the producers, but from a Mr. Moffitt (they say a
commissary agent), at from 45 to 55 cents gross; and hence they are
compelled to retail it (net) at from 75 cents to $1.25 per pound to the
people. If this be so, and the commissary buys at government