dent has decided that such agents have no right to expend any money
but that contributed. This hits the Assistant Secretary of War, and Mr.
Kean, Chief of Bureau, and our agent, Mr. Peck, for whom so many barrels
of flour were purchased by the latter as agent, leaving the greater part
of the contribution unexpended; nay, more, the money has not _yet_ been
refunded, although contributed five months ago!

Some 700 barrels of flour were realized yesterday for the army.

JANUARY 15TH.--Clear and frosty. Guns heard down the river.

Dispatches came last night for ammunition--to Wilmington, I believe. We
have nothing yet decisive from Fort Fisher, but I fear it will fall.

Mr. Hunter was in the Secretary's office this morning before the
Secretary came. I could give him no news from Wilmington. He is much
distressed; but if the enemy prevails, I have no doubt he will stipulate
saving terms for Virginia. He cannot contemplate the ruin of his
fortune; political ruin is quite as much as he can bear. Always at the
elbow of the Secretary, he will have timely notice of any fatal
disaster. He is too fat to run, too heavy to swim, and therefore must
provide some other means of escape.

Last night and early this morning the Jews and others were busy, with
hand-carts and wheelbarrows, removing barrels of flour from the center
to the outskirts of the city, fearful of impressment. They need not
fear.

I have enough flour, meal, and beans (black) to subsist my family two
weeks. After that, I look to the kind Providence which has hitherto
always fed us.

It is now rumored that Mr. Blair came to negotiate terms for the
capitulation of Richmond, and that none were listened to. Better that,
if it must fall, than be given up to pillage and the flames. If burning
our cities had been the order in 1862, it might have been well; it is
too late now!

JANUARY 16TH.--Clear and frosty.

We learn vaguely that the attack on the defenses of Wilmington has been
progressing since Friday, and that the enemy's land forces have effected
a lodgment between Fort Fisher and the town.

Another "peace" visitor has arrived--Hon. Mr. Singleton, of the United
States Congress. It is _said_ that the President (Confederate States)
has pledged himself to appoint commissioners to fix terms of peace. This
is but a forlorn-hope. No terms of peace are contemplated by any of
these visitors but on the basis of reconstruction; and their utmost
liberality could reach n