e not
completing the work of subjugation. It would require a million of
bayonets to keep this people in subjection, and the indications are that
the United States will have difficulty in keeping their great armies up.
It is a question of endurance.

NOVEMBER 7TH.--No news from any quarter, except the continued
bombardment of the debris of Fort Sumter, and the killing and wounding
of some 10 or 12 men there--but that is not news.

There is a pause,--a sort of holding of the breath of the people, as if
some event of note was expected. The prices of food and fuel are far
above the purses of all except speculators, and an explosion must happen
soon, of some sort. People will not perish for food in the midst of
plenty.

The press, a portion rather, praises the President for his carefulness
in making a tour of the armies and ports south of us; but as he retained
Gen. Bragg in command, how soon the tune would change if Bragg should
meet with disaster!

Night before last some of the prisoners on Belle Isle (we have some
13,000 altogether in and near the city) were overheard by the guard to
say they must escape immediately, or else it would be too late, as
cannon were to be planted around them. Our authorities took the alarm,
and increasing the guard, did plant cannon so as to rake them in every
direction in the event of their breaking out of their prison bounds. It
is suspected that this was a preconcerted affair, as a full division of
the enemy has been sent to Newport News, probably to co-operate with the
prisoners. Any attempt now must fail, unless, indeed, there should be a
large number of Union sympathizers in the city to assist them.

Several weeks ago it was predicted in the Northern papers that Richmond
would be taken in some mysterious manner, and that there was a plan for
the prisoners of war to seize it by a _coup de main_, may be probable.
But the scheme was impracticable. What may be the condition of the city,
and the action of the people a few weeks hence, if relief be not
afforded by the government, I am afraid to conjecture. The croakers say
five millions of "greenbacks," and cargoes of provisions, might be more
effectual in expelling the Confederate Government and restoring that of
the United States than all of Meade's army. And this, too, they allege,
when there is abundance in the country. Many seem to place no value on
the only money we have in circulation. The grasping farmers refuse to
get out their