o unite in prayer to our heavenly Father, that he bestow his
favor upon us; that he extend over us the protection of his
Almighty arm; that he sanctify his chastisement to our improvement,
so that we may turn away from evil paths and walk righteously in
his sight; that he restore peace to our beloved country, healing
its bleeding wounds, and securing to us the continued enjoyment of
our right of self-government and independence; and that he
graciously hearken to us, while we ascribe to him the power and
glory of our deliverance.

"Given under my hand and the seal of the Confederate States, at
Richmond, this 26th day of October, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

"JEFFERSON DAVIS.

"By the President:

"J. P. BENJAMIN, _Secretary of State_."

The President gets but few letters from members of Congress.

NOVEMBER 2D.--Dark and dismal.

The Governor continues his exemptions, now amounting to thousands. S.
Basset French (State agent to buy and sell supplies to the people), with
one or more clerks, and such laborers, etc. as may be necessary, I find
among his last exemptions. A smart and corrupt agent could make a
fortune out of these exemptions. Of course, the _Governor's_ A. D. C.
will do no such thing.

No news from below.

Rev. John Clark writes from Stafford County that the conscripts there
have hid themselves in White Oak Swamp, because the Secretary of War has
exempted an able-bodied man to work for Mrs. ----, his ---- widow.

Gen. Winder, with the prisoners in the South, is in hot water again. He
wants to make Cashmyer suttler (like ancient Pistol), and Major ----,
the Secretary's agent, opposes it, on the ground that he is a "Plug Ugly
rogue and cut-throat."

Mr. George Davis, Attorney-General Confederate States, has given it as
his opinion that although certain civil officers of the government were
exempted from military service by the Constitution, yet a recent act of
Congress, decreeing that all residents between the ages of 17 and 50 are
in the military service, must be executed. In other words, the cabinet
ministers must "see that the laws be faithfully executed," even should
they be clearly and expressly unconstitutional. Is not the Constitution
the law? Have they not sworn to support it, etc.? It seems to me that
this is a weak opinion.

It makes the President ABSOLUTE. I fear this government i