ss
expires. _Nous verrons._

JANUARY 20TH.--The Senate bill to give increased compensation to the
civil officers of the government in Richmond was _tabled_ in the House
yesterday, on the motion of Mr. Smith, of North Carolina, who spoke
against it.

Major-Gen. Gilmer, Chief of the Engineer Bureau, writes that the time
has arrived when no more iron should be used by the Navy Department;
that no iron-clads have effected any good, or are likely to effect any;
and that all the iron should be used to repair the roads, else we shall
soon be fatally deficient in the means of transportation. And Col.
Northrop, Commissary-General, says he has been trying to concentrate a
reserve supply of grain in Richmond, for eight months; and such has been
the deficiency in means of transportation, that the effort has failed.

Gov. Milton, of Florida, writes that the fact of quartermasters and
commissaries, and their agents, being of conscript age, and being
speculators all, produces great demoralization. If the rich will not
fight for their property, the poor will not fight for them.

Col. Northrop recommends that each commissary and quartermaster be
allowed a confidential clerk of conscript age. That would deprive the
army of several regiments of men.

The weather is bright again, but cool.

JANUARY 21ST.--Gen. Longstreet reports some small captures of the
enemy's detached foraging parties.

The prisoners here have now been six days without meat; and Capt. Warner
has been ordered by the Quartermaster-General to purchase supplies for
them, relying no longer on the Commissary-General.

Last night an attempt was made (by his servants, it is supposed) to
burn the President's mansion. It was discovered that fire had been
kindled in the wood-pile in the basement. The smoke led to the
discovery, else the family might have been consumed with the house. One
or two of the servants have absconded.

At the sale of a Jew to-day an _etegere_ brought $6000; a barrel of
flour, $220; and meal, $25 per bushel. All else in proportion. He is a
jeweler, and intends leaving the country. He will succeed, because he is
rich.

Yesterday the House passed the Senate bill, adjourning Congress on the
18th of February, to meet again in April. Mr. Barksdale, the President's
organ in the House, moved a reconsideration, and it will probably be
reconsidered and defeated, although it passed by two to one.

Major Griswold being required by resolution of the Legi