From Charleston we learn that on Christmas night the enemy's
shells destroyed a number of buildings. It is raining to-day: better than snow.
To-day, Sunday, Mr. Hunter is locked up with Mr. Seddon, at
the war office. No doubt he is endeavoring to persuade the Secretary not to
relinquish office. Mr. S. is the only Secretary of War over whom Mr. Hunter
could ever exercise a wholesome influence. Mr. Stephens, the Vice-President, is
still absent; and Mr. H. is president of the Senate.
Mr. Hunter is also a member of the Committee on Finance, and
the protracted consultations may refer mainly to that subject—and a difficult
one it is. Besides, if this revolution be doomed by Providence to failure, Mr.
Hunter would be the most potent negotiator in the business of reconstruction.
He has great interests at stake, and would save his property—and of course his
life.
Another letter from Gov. Vance demands the return of some
300 bales of cotton loaned the Confederate States. He likewise applies for the
extension of a detail of a North Carolina soldier, "for satisfactory
reasons."
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p.
120
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