A flag of truce boat came up, but no one on board was
authorized to negotiate for an exchange of prisoners but Gen. Butler, outlawed.
It returns without anything being effected. Congress has passed a bill for the
reduction of the currency, in secret session. We know not yet what are its main
features. The Senate bill increasing the compensation of civil officers has not
yet been acted on in the House, and many families are suffering for food.
Anne writes us that Lieut. Minor has returned from his
Canada expedition, which failed, in consequence of the gratuitous action of
Lord Lyons, the British Minister at Washington, who has been secured in the
interest of the Federal Government, it is said, by bribes. Lieut. M. brought
his family a dozen cups and saucers, dresses, shoes, etc., almost unattainable
here.
The President receives company every Tuesday evening.
Among the letters referred by the Commissary-General to the
Secretary of War to-day for instructions, was one from our honest commissary in
North Carolina, stating that there were several million pounds of bacon and
pork in Chowan and one or two other counties, liable to the incursions of the
enemy, which the people were anxious to sell the government, but were afraid to
bring out themselves, lest the enemy should ravage their farms, etc., and
suggesting that a military force be sent thither with wagons. The
Commissary-General stated none of these facts in his indorsement; but I did, so
that the Secretary must be cognizant of the nature of the paper.
The enemy made a brief raid in Westmoreland and Richmond
counties a few days ago, and destroyed 60,000 pounds of meat in one of the
Commissary-General's depots! A gentleman writing from that section, says it is
a pity the President's heart is not in his head; for then he would not ruin the
country by retaining his friend, Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, in
office.
It appears that Gen. Meade has changed the Federal policy in
the Northern Neck, by securing our people within his lines from molestation; and
even by allowing them to buy food, clothing, etc. from Northern traders, on a
pledge of strict neutrality. The object is to prevent the people from conveying
intelligence to Moseby, who has harassed his flanks and exposed detachments
very much. It is a more dangerous policy for us than the old habit of scourging
the non-combatants that fall in their power.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the
Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 130-1
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