ter to occur in any of the States. We shall
probably have martial law everywhere.

I bought some garden seeds to-day, fresh from New York! This people are
too improvident, even to sow their own seeds.

JANUARY 17TH.--There is nothing new to-day. The weather is pleasant for
the season, the snow being all gone.

Custis has succeeded in getting ten pupils for his night-school, and
this will add $100 per month to our income--if they pay him. But with
flour at $200 per barrel; meal, $20 per bushel, and meat from $2 to $5
per pound, what income would suffice? Captain Warner (I suppose in
return for some writing which Custis did for him) sent us yesterday two
bushels of potatoes, and, afterwards, a turkey! This is the first turkey
we have had during our housekeeping in Richmond.

I rarely see Robert Tyler nowadays. He used to visit me at my office.
His brother John I believe is in the trans-Mississippi Department. My
friend Jacques is about town occasionally.

JANUARY 18TH.--A flag of truce boat came up, but no one on board was
authorized to negotiate for an exchange of prisoners but Gen. Butler,
outlawed. It returns without anything being effected. Congress has
passed a bill for the reduction of the currency, in secret session. We
know not yet what are its main features. The Senate bill increasing the
compensation of civil officers has not yet been acted on in the House,
and many families are suffering for food.

Anne writes us that Lieut. Minor has returned from his Canada
expedition, which failed, in consequence of the gratuitous action of
Lord Lyons, the British Minister at Washington, who has been secured in
the interest of the Federal Government, it is said, by bribes. Lieut. M.
brought his family a dozen cups and saucers, dresses, shoes, etc.,
almost unattainable here.

The President receives company every Tuesday evening.

Among the letters referred by the Commissary-General to the Secretary of
War to-day for instructions, was one from our honest commissary in North
Carolina, stating that there were several million pounds of bacon and
pork in Chowan and one or two other counties, liable to the incursions
of the enemy, which the people were anxious to sell the government, but
were afraid to bring out themselves, lest the enemy should ravage their
farms, etc., and suggesting that a military force be sent thither with
wagons. The Commissary-General stated none of these facts in his
indorsement; but I did, so that