that no proclamation should
be issued, indorsed an emphatic approval of any other means to encourage
desertion from the enemy.

My cabbages and turnips (fall) are coming up already.

We had but 13,500 men and 44 pieces artillery in the recent march into
Maryland. The enemy say we had 40,000!

Letters are pouring in, denouncing the new schedule of prices,
sanctioned by the Secretary, and demanding a prompt modification. The
President wrote the Secretary to-day that immediate action is necessary.

JULY 26TH.--Clear and pleasant; later cloudy.

Yesterday, Mr. Peck, our agent, started South to buy provisions for the
civil officers of the department. He had $100 from each, and it is to be
hoped he will be back soon with supplies at comparatively low prices. He
obtained transportation from the Quartermaster-General, with the
sanction of the Secretary, although that ---- ---- had refused to order
it himself.

Gen. Lee advises that all government stores be taken from Wilmington, as
a London newspaper correspondent has given a glowing account
(republished in the _New York Herald_) of the commerce of that place,
and the vast amount of government property there. Gen. Lee advises that
the stores be deposited along the line of railroad between Columbia and
Danville, and be in readiness to move either way, as the roads are
"liable to be cut at any moment." Will the government act in time to
save them?

Gen. Cooper went to the President to-day in high dudgeon, because papers
were referred to him from the Quartermaster-General's and Ordnance
offices signed by subordinates, instead of the heads of the bureaus. The
President wrote an elaborate decision in favor of the general, and
ordered the Secretary to "make a note of it." Thus, important affairs
wait upon "red tape."

I saw Secretaries Benjamin and Mallory, and some lesser lights, riding
down the river in an ambulance-wagon, supposed to be going a fishing.
They were both excessively fat and red.

JULY 27TH.--Cloudy and warm; light shower at 3 P.M.

Gen. Lee's dispatch, giving an account of a victory last Sunday, near
Winchester, has diffused hope and satisfaction anew in the city.

The following dispatch was received from Gen. Bragg:

"ATLANTA, July 26th, 1864.

"Leave to-morrow to confer with Major-Gen. Maury at Montgomery, and
urge matters beyond. Lieut.-Gen. Lee arrived. Tone of the army
fine, and strength increasing daily, etc. All is quiet to