osen to preside, and no man living has a
greater abhorrence of blood! But, perhaps, he cannot decline.

Papers from the United States indicate that the peace epidemic prevails
in that country also to an _alarming_ extent: for the day (15th instant)
of drafting is near at hand; and even the Republican papers hope and
pray for peace, and reconstruction without slavery.

Senator Brown's resolution to put 200,000 slaves in the army was voted
down in secret session. Now the slave_owners_ must go in themselves, or
all is lost.

One of the President's pages says the President will make a speech at
the meeting to-day. He is a good political speaker, and will leave no
stone unturned to disconcert his political enemies in Congress and
elsewhere--and their name is legion.

The President has ordered the nomination of ex-Gov. Bonham as
brigadier-general of a brigade of South Carolina cavalry, in opposition
to _Gen. Cooper's_ opinion: a rare occurrence, showing that Mr. Davis
can be flexible when necessity urges. Gen. Hampton recommended Bonham.

The day is bright, but the snow is not quite all gone: else the meeting
would be very large, and in the Capitol Square. There will be much
cheering; but the rich men will be still resolved to keep out of the
army themselves.

We have nothing from Charleston for several days. No doubt preparations
are being made for its evacuation. The stores will be brought here for
Lee's army. What will be the price of gold then?

Mr. Seddon has published a correspondence with the President, showing
why he resigned: which was a declaration on the part of Congress of a
want of confidence in the cabinet. The President says such a declaration
on the part of Congress is extra-official, and subversive of the
constitutional jurisdiction of the Executive; and, in short, he would
not accept the resignation, if Mr. S. would agree to withdraw it. So, I
suppose the other members will hold on, in spite of Congress.

FEBRUARY 10TH.--Bright and cold. It is estimated that the enemy lost
1500 men in the fight near Petersburg, and we 500.

Sherman has got to the railroad near Branchville, and cut communications
with Augusta.

At the meeting, yesterday, Mr. Hunter presided, sure enough; and made a
carefully prepared patriotic speech. There was no other alternative. And
Mr. Benjamin, being a member of the cabinet, made a significant and most
extraordinary speech. He said the white fighting men were exhausted, and