nd cited * * * *

I saw Gen. Bragg's dispatch to-day, dated 29th ult., asking to be
relieved, and acknowledging his defeat. He says he must still fall back,
if the enemy presses vigorously. It is well the enemy did not know it,
for at that moment Grant was falling back on Chattanooga! Mr. Memminger
has sent to Congress an impracticable plan of remedying the currency
difficulty.

To-day I saw copies of orders given a year ago by Gen. Pemberton to Col.
Mariquy and others, to barter cotton with the enemy for certain army and
other stores.

It is the opinion of many that the currency must go the way of the old
Continental paper, the French assignats, etc., and that speedily.

Passports are again being issued in profusion to persons going to the
United States. Judge Campbell, who has been absent some weeks, returned
yesterday.

The following prices are quoted in to-day's papers:

"The specie market has still an upward tendency. The brokers are now
paying $18 for gold and selling it at $21; silver is bought at $14 and
sold at $18.

"GRAIN.--Wheat may be quoted at $15 to $18 per bushel, according to
quality. Corn is bringing from $14 to $15 per bushel.

"FLOUR.--Superfine, $100 to $105; Extra, $105 to $110.

"CORN-MEAL.--From $15 to $16 per bushel.

"COUNTRY PRODUCE AND VEGETABLES.--Bacon, hoground, $3 to $3.25 per
pound; lard, $3.25 to $3.50; beef, 80 cents to $1; venison, $2 to $2.25;
poultry, $1.25 to $1.50; butter, $4 to $4.50; apples, $65, to $80 per
barrel; onions, $30 to $35 per bushel; Irish potatoes, $8 to $10 per
bushel; sweet potatoes, $12 to $15, and scarce; turnips, $5 to $6 per
bushel. These are the wholesale rates.

"GROCERIES.--Brown sugars firm at $3 to $3.25; clarified, $4.50; English
crushed, $4.60 to $5; sorghum molasses, $13 to $14 per gallon; rice, 30
to 32 cents per pound; salt, 35 to 40 cents; black pepper, $8 to $10.

"LIQUORS.--Whisky, $55 to $75 per gallon; apple brandy, $45 to $50; rum,
proof, $55; gin, $60; French brandy, $80 to $125; old Hennessy, $180;
Scotch whisky, $90; champagne (extra), $350 per dozen; claret (quarts),
$90 to $100; gin, $150 per case; Alsop's ale (quarts), $110; pints,
$60."

DECEMBER 12TH.--There was a rumor that Chattanooga had been evacuated;
but it turns out that the enemy are fortifying it, and mean to keep it,
while operating in East Tennessee. It is said Gen. Grant is to bring
30,000 men to Virginia, and assume command of the Army of the Potomac,
super