to-day, and his
proclamation of amnesty to all who take an oath of allegiance, etc., and
advocate emancipation. There are some whom he exempts, of course. It is
regarded here as an electioneering document, to procure a renomination
for the Presidency in the radical Abolition Convention to assemble in a
few months. But it will add 100,000 men to our armies; and next year
will be the bloody year.

Congress spent much of the day in secret session.

A Baltimorean, last week, seeing a steamer there loading with goods of
various kinds for the Federal prisoners here, bought a box of
merchandise for $300, and put it on board, marked as if it contained
stores for the prisoners. He ran the blockade so as to meet the steamer
here; and obtained his box, worth, perhaps, $15,000. But all this is
forbidden hereafter.

DECEMBER 15TH.--Bright, beautiful day--but, alas! the news continues
dark. Two companies of cavalry were surprised and taken on the Peninsula
day before yesterday; and there are rumors of disaster in Western
Virginia.

Foote still keeps up a fire on the President in the House; but he is not
well seconded by the rest of the members, and it is probable the
President will regain his control. It is thought, however, the cabinet
will go by the board.

DECEMBER 16TH.--The _Examiner_ to-day discovers that if the President's
project of enrolling all men, and detailing for civil pursuits such as
the Executive may designate, be adopted, that he will then be
constituted a DICTATOR--the best thing, possibly, that could happen in
the opinion of many; though the _Examiner_ don't think so. It is
probable the President will have what he wants.

_Per contra_, the proposition of Senator Johnson, of Arkansas, requiring
members of the cabinet to be renominated at the expiration of every two
years, if passed, would be a virtual seizure of Executive powers by that
body. But it won't pass.

DECEMBER 17TH.--Averill (Federal) made a raid a day or two since to
Salem (Roanoke County, Va.), cutting the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad, destroying the depot, bridges, court-house, etc.

Gen. J. E. Johnston has been ordered to take command of Bragg's army.

I saw a communication from Lieut.-Col. Ruffin (Commissary Bureau),
suggesting the trade of cotton to the enemy in New Orleans for supplies,
meat, etc., a Mr. Pollard, of St. Louis, having proposed to barter meat
for cotton, which Col. Ruffin seems to discourage.

Gen. Halleck has propo