ow in his lines, will be held as paroled, and credited in
the general exchange. Moreover, all prisoners in transitu for any point
of exchange, falling into their hands, will be held as paroled, and
exchanged. He states also that all prisoners held by the United States,
whether in close confinement, in irons, or under sentence, are to be
exchanged. Surely Gen. Grant is trying to please us in this matter. Yet
Lieut. Beall was executed!

MARCH 2D.--Raining. No well-authenticated news; but by many it is
believed Staunton is in the hands of the enemy, and Lynchburg menaced.
Nevertheless, the government is sending a portion of the archives and
stores to Lynchburg!

The clergymen are at work begging supplies for the soldiers; and they
say the holding of Richmond and the success of the cause depend upon the
success of their efforts, the government being null! A large per cent.
of these preachers is of Northern birth--and some of them may possibly
betray the cause if they deem it desperate. This is the history of such
men in the South so far. But the President trusts them, and we must
trust the President.

Hon. Wm. C. Rives has resigned his seat in Congress. Alleged causes, ill
health and great age--over 70.

The Negro bill still hangs fire in Congress.

Roger A. Pryor is to be exchanged. He was the guest of Forney in
Washington, and had interviews with President Lincoln.

The government is impressing horses in the streets, to collect the
tobacco preparatory for its destruction in the event of the city falling
into the hands of the enemy. This fact is already known in the North and
published in the papers there. A pretty passport and police system,
truly!

I saw a paper to-day from Mr. Benjamin, saying it had been determined,
in the event of burning the tobacco, to exempt that belonging to other
governments--French and Austrian; but that belonging to foreign subjects
is not to be spared. This he says is with the concurrence of the British
Government. Tobacco is being moved from the city with all possible
expedition.

MARCH 3D.--Raining and cold. This morning there was another arrival of
our prisoners on parole, and not yet exchanged. Many thousands have
arrived this week, and many more are on the way. How shall we feed them?
Will _they_ compel the evacuation of the city? I hope not. Capt. Warner,
Commissary-General, is here again; and if assigned to duty, has
sufficient business qualifications to collect supplies.

T