Judge Meredith's opinion, that foreigners, Marylanders, and
others, who have served in the army, have become domiciled, and are liable to
conscription, has produced a prodigious commotion. Gen. Winder's door is beset
with crowds of eager seekers of passports to leave the Confederacy; and as
these people are converting their Confederate money into gold, the premium on
specie has advanced.
Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, has decided that
Judge Meredith's opinion is not authority; and hence his son-inlaw, Lieut.-Col.
Lay, who at present wields the Conscription Bureau, acts accordingly. But Gen.
Rains has a contrary opinion; and he intended to see the President yesterday,
who is understood to coincide with Judge Meredith. It is also alleged that Secretary
Seddon concurs in this opinion; and if this be the case, an explosion is
imminent — for Judge Campbell must have given instructions “by order of the
Secretary,” without the Secretary's knowledge or consent.
I advised the general to see the President and Secretary
once a week, and not rely upon verbal instructions received through a subordinate;
he said the advice was good, and he should follow it. But he is much absorbed
in his subterrene batteries.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 270
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