Northrop says supplies of meat have failed.

JANUARY 13TH.--There was firing yesterday near Georgetown, S. C., the
nature and result of which is not yet known.

Yesterday the Senate passed a bill allowing increased pay to civil
officers in the departments; but Senator Brown, of Miss., proposed a
_proviso_, which was adopted, allowing the increased compensation only
to those who are not liable to perform military duty, and unable to bear
arms.

The auctions are crowded--the people seeming anxious to get rid of their
money by paying the most extravagant prices for all articles exposed for
sale. An old pair of boots, with large holes in them, sold to-day for
$7.00--it costs $125 to foot a pair of boots.

JANUARY 14TH.--Mr. A. ----, editor of the ----, recommends the Secretary
of War to get Congress to pass, in secret session, a resolution looking
to a reconstruction of the Union on the old basis, and send
Commissioners to the Northern Governors. Meantime, let the government
organize an army of invasion, and march into Pennsylvania. The object
being to sow dissension among the parties of the North.

A letter from a Mr. Stephens, Columbia, S. C., to the President, says it
is in his power to remove one of the evils which is bringing the
administration into disrepute, and causing universal indignation--Gen.
Winder. The writer says Winder drinks excessively, is brutish to all but
Marylanders, and habitually receives bribes, etc. The President indorsed
on it that he did not know the writer, and the absence of specifications
usually rendered action unnecessary. But perhaps the Secretary may find
Mr. S.'s character such as to deserve attention.

Captain Warner says it is believed there will be a riot, perhaps, when
Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, may be immolated by the mob.
Flour sold to-day at $200 per barrel; butter, $8 per pound; and meat
from $2 to $4. This cannot continue long without a remedy.

The President has another reception to-night.

"A YANKEE ACCOUNT OF THE TREATMENT OF CONFEDERATE PRISONERS.--_The
Chicago Times_ gives the account which follows of the treatment of our
soldiers at Camp Douglas.

"It is said that about four weeks ago one of the prisoners was kindling
his fire, which act he had a right to perform, when one of the guard
accosted him with, 'Here, what are you doing there?' The prisoner
replied, 'That is not your business,' when the guard instantly drew his
musket and shot the fellow dea