best for him to do to secure his election, and that he will
be elected. Then, if we maintain a strong front in the field, we shall
have peace and independence. Yet his letter convinces me the peace party
in the United States is not so strong as we supposed. If it shall appear
that subjugation is not practicable, by future success on our part, the
peace party will grow to commanding proportions.

Our currency was, yesterday, selling $25 for $1 in gold; and all of us
who live on salaries live very badly: for food and everything else is
governed by the specie value. Our $8000 per annum really is no more than
$320 in gold. The rent of our house is the only item of expense not
proportionably enlarged. It is $500, or $20 in gold. Gas is put up to
$30 per 1000 feet.

Four P.M. We hear the deep booming of cannon again down the river. I
hope the enemy will not get back the beeves we captured, and that my
barrel of flour from North Carolina will not be intercepted!

J. J. Pollard's contract to bring supplies through the lines, on the
Mississippi, receiving cotton therefor, has been revoked, it being
alleged by many in that region that the benefits reaped are by no means
mutual.

And Mr. De Bow's office of Cotton Loan Agent has been taken away from
him for alleged irregularities, the nature of which is not clearly
stated by the new Secretary of the Treasury, who announces his removal
to the Secretary of War.

The President has had the porch of his house, from which his son fell,
pulled down.

A "private" letter from Vice-President Stephens was received by Mr.
Secretary Seddon to-day.

The cannonading ceased at sundown. The papers, to-morrow, will inform us
what it was all about. Sunday is not respected in war, and I know not
what is. Such terrible wars as this will probably make those who survive
appreciate the blessings of peace.

SEPTEMBER 19TH.--Clear and pleasant.

We have nothing yet explanatory of the shelling yesterday.

To-day we have news of an expedition of the enemy crossing Rapidan
Bridge on the way toward Gordonsville, Charlottesville, etc. Gen.
Anderson's division, from Early's army, is said to be marching after
them. We shall learn more of this business very soon.

Mrs. D. E. Mendenhall, Quaker, Jamestown, N. C., has written a "strictly
confidential" letter to Mr. J. B. Crenshaw, of this city (which has gone
on the files of the department), begging him to use his influence with
Mr. Secretary Seddon (wh