t with regular
files of Northern papers. They sometimes have in them important
diplomatic correspondence, and the perusal of this is about all the
Secretary of State has to do.

It is rumored that the Hon. Robert Toombs has been arrested in Georgia
for treason. I cannot believe it, but I know he is inimical to the
President.

The British papers again seem to sympathise with us.

Senator Orr writes to the Secretary that a resolution of the Senate,
asking for copies of Gen. Beauregard's orders in 1862 for the
fortification of Vicksburg (he was the first to plan the works which
made such a glorious defense), and also a resolution calling for a copy
of Gen. B.'s charges against Col. ----, had not been responded to by the
President. He asks that these matters may be brought to the President's
attention.

The weather is beautiful and spring-like again, and we may soon have
some news both from Tennessee and North Carolina. From the latter I hope
we shall get some of the meat endangered by the proximity of the enemy.

FEBRUARY 3D.--The following dispatch indicates the prestige of success
for the year 1864, and it is probable it will be followed by a
succession of successes, for the administration at Washington will find,
this year, constant antagonisms everywhere, in the North as well as in
the South, and in the army there will be opposing parties--Republicans
and Democrats. On the part of the South, we have experienced the great
agony of 1863, and have become so familiar with horrors that we shall
fight with a fearful desperation. But the dispatch:

"Glorious news! The whole Yankee force, about 150, are our prisoners,
and their gun-boat 'Smith Briggs,' destroyed.

"No one hurt on our side. Four Yankees killed and two or three wounded.

"The prisoners are now at Broad Water. Send down a train for them
to-morrow."

We learn that this Yankee force was commissioned to destroy a large
factory at Smithfield, in Isle of Wight County. We do not know the size
or composition of our command which achieved the results noticed above,
but understand that it contained two companies of the Thirty-first North
Carolina Regiment.

Congress has not yet finally acted on the Tax bill, nor on the new
Conscription bill.

The Secretary of War said to-day that he would not allow the increased
pay to any of his civil officers who were young and able to bear
arms--and this after urging Congress to increase their compensation. It
will be ve