ains quiet, we may know that
Lincoln will be re-elected.

It is said news came from the North last night, that gold sold for $2 60,
and that Governor Seymour had ordered the militia of New York to be in
readiness for the protection of the polls on Tuesday next.

G. W. Randolph, late Secretary of War, has sailed for Europe, taking his
family with him. Other quondam Confederate States functionaries have
gone, or are going. Many have realized fortunes, who were poor, and this
country has ceased to be the one to _enjoy_ them in.

A parting letter was written by Mr. Randolph to his friend, R. G. H.
Kean, Chief of the Bureau of War--appointed by Mr. R., and from whom I
derived the information of the sailing of his patron. Such departures,
at a crisis like this, spread additional doubts in the community. Mr. R.
was not liable to conscription, if averse to fighting more in our cause,
being exempted by Governor Smith as a member of the Common Council.

To-morrow is the day fixed for the reassembling of our Congress, but
doubts are entertained whether there will be a quorum.

We shall soon have lively news from Beauregard. If I understand his
letter of the 24th ult., he is determined to march the army without
delay into Middle Tennessee, leaving Sherman on his right flank and
rear. It is a desperate conception, and will probably be a brilliant
success--or a sad disaster. Napoleon liked such games. If Beauregard
really has great genius, he has now the field on which to display it. If
the Tennesseeans and Kentuckians rise, momentous events may follow; if
not, it is probably the last opportunity they will have. They have their
choice--_but blood is the price of independence_.

NOVEMBER 7TH.--Dark and raining. Cannon heard down the river.

To-day our Congress assembles. Senator Johnson, of Missouri (who
relinquished six years in United States Senate and $200,000 for the
cause), called to see me. He is hopeful of success in the West.

By the Northern papers we see that Mr. Seward has discovered a
"conspiracy" to burn all the Northern cities on election day. It may be
so--by Northern incendiaries.

Our citizens are still asking permits to bring flour and meal to the
city (free from liability to impressment) for "family use." The
speculators divide and subdivide their lots, and get them in, to sell at
extortionate prices.

Rumors of fighting toward Petersburg--nothing reliable.

Gen. Lee writes that he sent in the Tredegar B