rtis_, and supposes the reconstruction of the Union a
very practicable thing, and the men selected as our commissioners may
confirm the belief. They can do nothing, of course, if independence is
the ultimatum given them.

Among the rumors now current, it is stated that the French Minister at
Washington has demanded his passports. Mr. Lincoln's message, in
December, certainly gave Napoleon grounds for a quarrel by ignoring his
empire erected in Mexico.

Mr. Seddon still awaits his successor. He has removed Col. and
Lieut.-Col. Ruffin from office.

Mr. Bruce, M. C. from Kentucky, and brother-in-law to Mr. Seddon, is
named as Commissary-General.

The President has vetoed another bill, granting the privilege to
soldiers to receive papers free of postage, and the Senate has passed it
again by a two-thirds vote. Thus the breach widens.

Some of our sensible men have strong hopes of peace immediately, on
terms of alliance against European powers, and commercial advantages to
the United States. I hope for even this for the sake of repose and
independence, if we come off with honor. We owe nothing to any of the
European governments. What has Blair been running backward and forward
so often for between the two Presidents? Has it not been clearly stated
that independence alone will content us? Blair _must_ have understood
this, and made it known to _his_ President. Then what else but
independence, on some terms, could be the basis for _further_
conference? I believe our people would, for the sake of independence,
agree to an alliance offensive and defensive with the United States, and
agree to furnish an army of volunteers in the event of a war with
France or England. The President has stigmatized the affected neutrality
of those powers in one of his annual messages. Still, such a treaty
would be unpopular after a term of peace with the United States. If the
United States be upon the eve of war with France and England, or either
of them, our commissioners abroad will soon have proposals from those
governments, which would be accepted, if the United States did not act
speedily.

JANUARY 31ST.--Bright and frosty.

The "peace commissioners" remained Sunday night at Petersburg, and
proceeded on their way yesterday morning. As they passed our lines, our
troops cheered them very heartily, and when they reached the enemy's
lines, they were cheered more vociferously than ever. Is not this an
evidence of a mutual desire for peace?