olonged. The prevalent
supposition is that it relates to foreign complications. Some think the
President means to tender his resignation, but this is absurd, for he
would be the last man to yield. To-day it is understood the Secretary of
War is to be absent from his office, closeted with the President.

Gen. Johnston is concentrating on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad,
and perhaps a battle will occur near Goldsborough. Its issue will decide
the fate of Raleigh, perhaps of Richmond.

The President had the Secretary of War and Mr. Benjamin closeted nearly
the entire day yesterday, Sunday. Some important event is in embryo. If
Lee's army can be fed--as long as it can be fed--Richmond is safe. Its
abandonment will be the loss of Virginia, and perhaps the cause. To save
it, therefore, is the problem for those in authority to solve. If we had
had competent and honest men always directing the affairs of the
Confederacy, Richmond never would have been in danger, and long ere this
independence would have been achieved. But passports have been sold,
political enemies have been persecuted, conscription has been converted
into an engine of vengeance, of cupidity, and has been often made to
subserve the ends of the invader, until at last we find ourselves in a
deplorable and desperate condition.

Gen. Wise, who has been here a few days on sick furlough, has returned
to his command, still coughing distressfully, and distressed at the
prospect.

Miers W. Fisher, member of the Virginia Secession Convention, neglected
by the government, and racked with disease, is about to return to the
Eastern Shore of Virginia. He may submit and die. He might have done
good service, but the politicians who controlled the Confederate States
Government ignored him because he had once been a supporter of Gov. Wise
for the Presidency.

There is a report that Sheridan's force has crossed the James River. If
this be so, the Danville Road is in danger, and the President and his
cabinet and Congress are all in a predicament. No wonder there is some
commotion! But the report may not be true. It is also said Grant is
crossing his army to the north side of the river. This may be a feint,
but stirring events are casting their shadows before!

MARCH 14TH.--Bright and pleasant, but indications of change.

The papers contain no news from the armies, near or remote. But there
was some alarm in the upper portion of the city about 9 P.M. last night,
from a s