with the ladies belonging to the old
families. Her father, Mr. Howell, it is said was of low origin, and this
is quite enough to disgust others of "high birth," but yet occupying
less exalted positions.

Ladies are now offering their jewels and plate at the Treasury for the
subsistence of the army. It is not a general thing, however.

Yesterday bacon was selling at $20 per pound, and meal at $140 per
bushel. If Sherman cuts the communication with North Carolina, no one
doubts that this city must be abandoned by Lee's army--and yet it may
not be so if diligent search be made for food. The soldiers and the
people may suffer, but still subsist until harvest; and meantime the God
of battles may change the face of affairs, or France may come to our
relief.

Four P.M. It is reported that the enemy have taken Weldon. They seem to
be closing in on every hand. Lee must soon determine to march
away--whether northward or to the southwest, a few weeks, perhaps days,
will decide. The unworthy men who have been detained in high civil
positions begin now to reap their reward! And the President must
reproach himself for his inflexible adherence to a _narrow idea_. He
_might_ have been successful.

MARCH 20TH.--Sunny and pleasant, but hazy in the south.

Cannon heard, quite briskly, south of the city. The papers report that
Gen. Hardee repulsed Sherman on the 16th. But the official dispatch of
Gen. Johnston says Hardee retired, and Sherman advanced after the
fighting was over.

Congress adjourned _sine die_ on Saturday, without passing the measures
recommended by the President. On the contrary, a committee of the Senate
has reported and published an acrimonious reply to certain allegations
in the message, and severely resenting the "admonitions" of the
Executive.

When the joint committee waited on the President to inform him that if
he had no further communication to make them they would adjourn, he took
occasion to fire another broadside, saying that the measures he had just
recommended he sincerely deemed essential for the success of the armies,
etc., and, since Congress differed with him in opinion, and did not
adopt them, he could only hope that the result would prove he was
mistaken and that Congress was right. But if the contrary should appear,
_he_ could not be held responsible, etc. This is the mere _squibbing_ of
politicians, while the enemy's artillery is thundering at the gates!

The Secretary of War visited Gen. L