eauregard must have nearly
50,000 men--such as they are, poor fellows! The rich have generally
bribed themselves out of the service through the complicated machinery
of the "Bureau of Conscription."

Senator Brown, of Mississippi, I am sorry to see, often retards
legislation by motions to postpone; and the Senate listens to him, not
knowing what to do. Hours now are worth weeks hereafter.

The President has made Wm. M. Browne--one of his aids, an Englishman and
a Northern newspaper reporter--a brigadier-general. This does not help
the cause. Mr. B. knows no more about war than a cat; while many a
scarred colonel, native-born, and participants in a hundred fights, sue
in vain for promotion.

Governor Clarke (Mississippi) telegraphs the President that nothing
keeps the negroes from going to the enemy but the fear of being put in
the Federal army; and that if it be attempted to put them in ours, all
will run away, etc.

FEBRUARY 21ST.--Another bright and glorious morning.

Charleston fell on Thursday night last. A large number of heavy guns
fell into the hands of the enemy. The _confidential_ telegraph operators
remained with the enemy. They were Northern men; but it is the policy of
those in possession of this government to trust their enemies and
neglect their friends.

Congress passed yesterday a bill abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription"
in name--nothing more, if I understand it. The bill was manipulated by
Judge Campbell, who has really directed the operations of the bureau
from the beginning.

The negro bill also passed one House, and will pass the other to-day.

Also a bill (in one House) abolishing provost marshals, except in camps
of the army.

These measures may come too late. The enemy is inclosing us on all sides
with great vigor and rapidity. A victory by Beauregard would lift up the
hearts of the people, now prone in the dust.

Mr. D. H. London (on the street) is smiling this morning. He says there
is no doubt but that we shall be speedily recognized by France, and that
Gen. Lee has gone South to checkmate Sherman. I fear some one has been
deceiving Mr. London, knowing how eager he is for a few grains of
comfort. He is a rich man.

A dispatch was sent from the department to Gen. Lee this morning, at his
headquarters, supposed to be near Petersburg. Gold was selling at $60
for $1 yesterday. This may be a "dodge" of the brokers, who want to
purchase; or it may be the government selling specie.