There are skirmishes every day, and we can hear both the
artillery and musketry from the hills on the outskirts of the city, whither
some of us repair every afternoon.
But the Provost Marshal's administration is abominable. Mr.
Garnett, M. C., told me that in an interview with the President, the latter
informed him that he had just received a letter from Gen. Johnston, stating
that the enemy not only knew everything going on within our lines, but seemed
absolutely to know what we intended doing in the future, as if the most secret counsels
of the cabinet were divulged.
Count Mercier, the French Minister residing at Washington,
has been here on a mysterious errand. They said it referred to our recognition.
He had prolonged interviews with Mr. Benjamin. I think it was concerning
tobacco. There are $60,000,000 worth in Richmond, at French prices. For
$1,000,000, Mr. Seward might afford to wink very hard; and, after distributing
several other millions, there would be a grand total profit both to the owners
and the French Emperor. I smile at their golden expectations, for I know they
will not be realized. If one man can prevent it, the South shall never be
betrayed for a crop of tobacco. This is a holy cause we are embarked in, worthy
to die for.
The British Minister, Lord Lyons, has embarked for England,
to report to his government that “the rebellion is on its last legs,” and must
speedily succumb. He is no prophet, or the son of a prophet.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 127
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