SEPTEMBER 24TH.--The papers this morning are still in doubt whether Lee
has returned to the Virginia side of the Potomac, or remains in
Maryland. My theory is that he is _perdue_ for the present, hoping all
the enemy's forces will enter Virginia, from Washington--when he will
pounce upon that city and cut off their retreat.

The Northern papers contain intimations of the existence of a conspiracy
to _dethrone_ Lincoln, and put a military Dictator at the head of the
government. Gen. Fremont is named as the man. It is alleged that this
movement is to be made by the Abolitionists, as if Lincoln were not
sufficiently radical for them!

A call has been made by Congress for explanations of the arrest of a
citizen of Virginia, by Gen. Winder, for procuring a substitute for a
relative. Gen. W., supposing his powers ample, under martial law, had
forbidden agents to procure substitutes. This was in contravention of an
act of Congress, legalizing substitutes. If Winder be sustained, it is
said we shall have inaugurated a military despotism.

I have just seen persons from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They say
my farm there has not been disturbed[2] by the enemy. I think it
probable they knew nothing about its ownership, or it would have been
devastated. My agent sent me a little money, part of the rent of year
before last. My tenant is getting rich. After peace I shall reside there
myself. How I long for the independent life of a farmer!

Wood is selling at $16 per cord, and coal at $9 per load. How can we
live here, unless our salaries are increased? The matter is under
consideration by Congress, and we _hope_ for favorable action.

Col. Bledsoe has resigned and gone back to his school at
Charlottesville.

SEPTEMBER 25TH.--Blankets, that used to sell for $6, are now $25 per
pair; and sheets are selling for $15 per pair, which might have been had
a year ago for $4. Common 4.4 bleached cotton shirting is selling at $1
a yard.

Gen. Lee's locality and operations, since the battle of Sharpsburg or
Shepherdstown, are still enveloped in mystery.

About one hundred of the commissioned officers of Pope's army, taken
prisoners by Jackson, and confined as felons in our prisons, in
conformity to the President's retaliatory order, were yesterday released
on parole, in consequence of satisfactory communications from the United
States Government, disavowing Pope's orders, I presume, and stating
officially the fact that Pope himself h