is said Gen. Lee has set a trap for them. From East Tennessee there is a
report that a battle has taken place somewhere in that region, but with
what result is not yet known.

There is much consternation among the Jews and other speculators here,
who have put in substitutes and made money. They fear that their
substitutes will be made liable by legislative action, and then the
principals will be called for. Some have contributed money to prevent
the passage of such a law, and others have spent money to get permission
to leave the country. Messrs. Gilmer and Myers, lawyers, have their
hands full.

The Confederate States Tax act of last session of Congress is a failure,
in a great measure, in Virginia. It is said only 30,000 bushels of wheat
have been received! But the Governor of Alabama writes that over
5,000,000 pounds of bacon will be paid by that State.

DECEMBER 21ST.--We have dispatches to-day from Western Virginia, giving
hope of the capture of Averill and his raiders.

Such is the scarcity of provisions, that rats and mice have mostly
disappeared, and the cats can hardly be kept off the table.

DECEMBER 22D.--Averill has escaped, it is feared. But it is said one of
his regiments and all his wagons will be lost.

Gen. Longstreet writes (16th instant) that he must suspend active
operations for the want of shoes and clothing. The Quarter-master-General
says he sent him 3500 blankets a few days since.

There are fifty-one quartermasters and assistant quartermasters
stationed in this city!

Pound cakes, size of a small Dutch oven, sell at $100. Turkeys, from $10
to $40.

DECEMBER 23D.--Nothing further from the West. But we have reliable
information of the burning (accidentally, I suppose) of the enemy's
magazine at Yorktown, destroying all the houses, etc.

I learn to-day that the Secretary of War revoked the order confiscating
blockade goods brought from the enemy's country.

DECEMBER 24TH.--Another interposition of Providence in behalf of my
family. The bookseller who purchased the edition of the first volume of
my "Wild Western Scenes--new series," since Mr. Malsby's departure from
the country, paid me $300 to-day, copyright, and promises more very
soon. I immediately bought a load of coal, $31.50, and a half cord of
wood for $19. I must now secure some food for next month.

Among the papers sent in by the President, to-day, was one from Gen.
Whiting, who, from information received by him, believes th