the influence of the existing crisis.
Good news only can throw open the doors, and restore the hilarity of the
members. When not in session, they usually denounce the President; in
session, they are wholly subservient to him.

Hon. R. L. Montague has written to the Secretary of War, on behalf of
the entire Virginia delegation, requesting a suspension of the
impressment of slaves until further legislation by Congress; what that
legislation will be, the President might tell, if he would.

A dispatch from Gen. Wheeler, dated to-day, 12 miles from Forsyth,
states that Sherman advances by the most direct route toward Macon, Ga.

My wife presented me to-day an excellent pocket-handkerchief, my old
ones being honey-combed and unfit for another washing. Upon inquiry
(since the cost of a single handkerchief is now $20), I ascertained it
to be a portion of one of my linen shirts bought in London in 1846.

We have now 200 pounds of flour in the house; 1 bushel meal; 1 bushel
sweet potatoes; 1 bushel Irish potatoes; 3 half pecks white beans; 4
pumpkins; 10 pounds beef; 2 pounds butter, and 3 pounds sugar, with
salt, etc. This seems like moderate stores for a family of seven, but it
is a larger supply than we ever had before, and will suffice for a
month. At the market price, they would cost $620. Add to this 1-1/2
loads coal and a quarter cord of wood--the first at $75, the last at
$80--the total is $762.50. This sum in ordinary times, and in specie,
would subsist my family twelve months.

NOVEMBER 19TH.--Rained all night, and still rains. All quiet below, save
the occasional bomb thrown by our iron-clads.

Gen. and Hon. R. K. Wright, of Georgia, is said to have gone to
Washington to negotiate a peace for Georgia.

A dispatch from Gen. Wheeler, dated yesterday, 12 miles from Forsyth,
says: "I think definite orders should be sent to officers in command
here, as to the line of policy to be pursued--particularly as to
defending Macon, Augusta, or Columbus. If not to be defended, government
stores should be removed, on enemy's approach, if possible. An officer
should be sent to command everything, who knows the views, wishes, and
plans of the government." I think so too!

The papers think that Grant is about to try again to force his way into
Richmond, as soon as the weather will permit.

We had a delicious treat of persimmons to-night--a quart bought for a
dollar. They were delicious, and we enjoyed them hugely. Also a quart