A furious storm of wind and rain occurred last night, and it
is rapidly turning cold to-day.
The prisoners here have had no meat during the last four
days, and fears are felt that they will break out of confinement.
Yesterday Senator Orr waited upon the President, to induce
him to remove Col. Northrop, the obnoxious Commissary-General. The President,
it is said, told him that Col. N. was one of the greatest geniuses in the
South, and that, if he had the physical capacity he would put him at the head
of an army.
A letter from Mrs. Polk, widow of President Polk, dated at
Nashville, expresses regret that a portion of her cotton in Mississippi was
burnt by the military authorities (according to law), and demanding
remuneration. She also asks permission to have the remainder sent to Memphis,
now held by the enemy. The Secretary will not refuse.
I bought a pretty good pair of second-hand shoes at auction
today for $17.50; but they were too large. I will have them sold again, without
fear of loss.
A majority of the Judiciary Committee, to whom the subject
was referred, have reported a bill in the Senate vacating the offices of all
the members of the cabinet at the expiration of every two years, or of every
Congress. This is a blow at Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Memminger, etc., and, as the
President conceives, at himself. It will not pass, probably; but it looks like war
between the Senate and the Executive. Some of the Secretaries may resign
on the 18th of February, when this Congress expires. Nous verrons.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the
Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 131-2
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