ee's headquarters on Saturday
afternoon, and has not yet returned. Breath is suspended in expectation
of some event; and the bickering between the President and the Congress
has had a bad effect--demoralizing the community.

Governor Vance writes (17th instant) to the Secretary of War, that he
learns an important secret communication had been sent to Congress,
concerning probably his State, and asks a copy of it, etc. The Secretary
sends this to the President, intimating that the communication referred
to was one inclosing a view of our military "situation" by Gen. Lee, in
which he concurred. The President returns Gov. V.'s letter, stating that
he does not know his purpose, or exactly what he refers to; but [red
tape!] until Congress removes the injunction of secrecy, no one can have
copies, etc. Yet he suggests that Gov. V. be written to.

Flour is held at $1500 per barrel.

Senator Hunter publishes a card to-day, denying that he is in favor of
reconstruction, which has been rumored, he says, to his injury, and
might injure the country if not denied.

A correspondence between Generals Lee and Grant is published, showing
that Gen. Longstreet has misunderstood Gen. Ord (Federal) in a late
conversation, to the effect that Gen. Grant would be willing to meet
Gen. Lee to consult on the means of putting an end to the war. The
President gave Lee full powers; but Gen. Grant writes Gen. Lee that Gen.
Ord must have been misunderstood, and that he (Grant) had no right to
settle such matters, etc. Sad delusion!

Assistant Secretary Campbell has given one of his clerks (Cohen, a Jew)
a passport to return home--New Orleans--_via_ the United States.

The government is still sending away the archives.

MARCH 21ST.--Clear and warm. Apricots in blossom. At last we have
reliable information that Johnston has checked one of Sherman's columns,
at Bentonville, capturing three guns. This success is a great
relief--more as an indication of what is to follow, than for what is
accomplished. So Bragg and Johnston have both shown successful fight
lately. Beauregard next. Sherman has three full generals in his front,
with accumulating forces. A few days more will decide his fate--for
immortality or destruction.

There are many red flags displayed this morning in Clay Street, for
sales of furniture and renting of houses to the highest bidders. They
have postponed it until the last moment to realize the highest possible
prices--and they wil