ear and very cold; can't find a thermometer in the
city.

The President _did_ sign the bill creating a general-in-chief, and
depriving Gen. Bragg of his staff.

Major-Gen. Jno. C. Breckinridge _has_ been appointed Secretary of War.
May our success be greater hereafter!

Gen. Lee has sent a letter from Gen. Imboden, exposing the wretched
management of the Piedmont Railroad, and showing that salt and corn, in
"immense quantity," have been daily left piled in the mud and water, and
exposed to rain, etc., while the army has been starving. Complaints and
representations of this state of things have been made repeatedly.

Gold sold at $47 for one at auction yesterday.

Mr. Hunter was seen early this morning running (almost) toward the
President's office, to pick up news. He and Breckinridge were old rivals
in the United States.

The _Enquirer_ seems in favor of listening to Blair's propositions.

Judge Campbell thinks Gen. Breckinridge will not make a good Secretary
of War, as he is not a man of small _details_. I hope he is not going to
indulge in so many of them as the judge and Mr. Seddon have done, else
all is lost! The judge's successor will be recommended soon to the new
Secretary. There will be applicants enough, even if the ship of State
were visibly going down.

Although it is understood that Gen. Breckinridge has been confirmed by
the Senate, he has not yet taken his seat in the department.

The President has issued a proclamation for the observance of Friday,
March 10th, as a day of "fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with
thanksgiving," in pursuance of a resolution of Congress.

It seems that Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee will not be
represented in the cabinet; this may breed trouble, and we have trouble
enough, in all conscience.

It is said Mr. Blair has returned again to Richmond--third visit. Can
there be war brewing between the United States and England or France? We
shall know all soon. Or have propositions been made _on our part_ for
reconstruction? There are many smiling faces in the streets, betokening
a profound desire for peace.

JANUARY 29TH.--Clear, and moderating.

To-day at 10 A.M. three commissioners start for Washington on a mission
of peace, which may be possibly attained. They are Vice-President
Stephens, Senator R. M. T. Hunter, and James A. Campbell, Assistant
Secretary of War, and formerly a judge on the bench of the Supreme Court
of the United States, all of them h