ned. Nearly all the papers have taken ground against the "Maximum
Bill." To-night a mass meeting is called, to urge the passage of the
bill.

The "mass meeting" to-night was a small affair. Mr. Robinson, my old
compositor, made a speech, abusing the editors; but the editors have
succeeded in putting down for the present the cry for bread. I fear,
however, it is but the work of Sisyphus, and it may destroy them; for,
if the measure fails before the Legislature, the prices will be sure to
advance, and then the people will attribute their woes to those who were
instrumental in the defeat of the plan of relief. It is a dangerous
thing to array one's self against a famishing people, even when the
remedy they demand is not calculated to alleviate their distresses. I
saw flour sell at auction to-day for $61 per barrel. This, too, when
there is an abundant crop of new grain but recently harvested. It is the
result of the depreciation of a redundant currency, and not of an
ascertained scarcity. Timber and coal are as abundant as ever they were;
and the one sells at $32 per cord, and the other at $30 per load of 25
bushels. And cotton is abundant, while brown domestic is bringing $3.00
per yard. Many are becoming very shabby in appearance; and I can get no
clothes for myself or my family, unless the government shall very
materially increase our salaries.

OCTOBER 21ST.--Gen. Lee telegraphed last night that our cavalry had
routed the enemy's horse on Monday, capturing some 200, etc. etc.

The Legislature passed a series of resolutions yesterday, requesting the
Secretary of War to impress free negroes for the public works; to detail
the 2d class militia (over 45); and to order into the ranks the
thousands of detailed soldiers and conscripts seen everywhere. The
report of a committee states that conscripts and soldiers pay bonuses to
contractors to have them detailed, and then they furnish negroes as
substitutes to perform the work, engaging themselves in speculation.
Also that one-third of the conscripts of one county have been detailed
to get wood for certain iron works which have a year's supply on hand!
Surely the Secretary will attend to this.

There is a row about passports. It appears that Judge Campbell and Gen.
Winder are competitors in the business. Judge C. yesterday remarked
that, at Gen. Winder's office, he understood a passport could be bought
for $100; and this was repeated by Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the
Bure