n Capt. Norton's secret mission; and I believe the
government had traps set for him at other places of egress. Meantime the
enemy _came in_ at Savannah. This is considered the President's
foible--a triumph over a political or personal enemy will occupy his
attention and afford more delight than an ordinary victory over the
common enemy. Most men will say Mr. Foote should have been permitted to
go--if he desired it.

JANUARY 14TH.--Cloudy and cool. The news that Goldsborough, N. C., had
been taken is not confirmed. Nor have we intelligence of the renewal of
the assault on Fort Fisher--but no one doubts it.

The government sent pork, butchered and salted a few weeks ago, to the
army. An order has been issued to borrow, buy, or impress flour,
wherever found; but our _political_ functionaries will see that it be
not executed. The rich hoarders may control votes hereafter, when they
may be candidates, etc. If domiciliary visits were made, many thousands
of barrels of flour would be found. The speculators have not only
escaped hitherto, but they have been exempted besides.

The Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution yesterday, calling upon the
President to have revoked any orders placing restrictions upon the
transportation of provisions to Richmond and Petersburg. The President
sends this to the Secretary, asking a copy of any orders _preventing
carts from coming to market_.

Flour is $1000 per barrel to-day!

F. P. Blair, Sr., has been here several days, the guest of Mr. Ould,
agent of exchange. He left this morning for Grant's lines below the
city. I saw him in an open carriage with Mr. Ould, going down Main
Street. He looks no _older_ than he did twenty years ago. Many consider
Ould a fortunate man, though he is represented as a loser in the war.
Blair seemed struck by the great number of able-bodied men in the
streets.

Major Maynard, Quartermaster, says he will be able next week to bring
120 cords of wood to the city daily.

If Richmond be relinquished, it ought to be by convention and
capitulation, getting the best possible terms for the citizens; and not
by evacuation, leaving them at the mercy of the invaders. Will our
authorities think of this? Doubtful.

One of the President's pages told me to-day that Mr. Blair had several
interviews with the President at the latter's residence. Nothing
relating to _propositions_ has transpired.

The clerks are again sending out agents to purchase supplies. The
Presi