Foggy, and raining. F. P. Blair
is here again. If enemies are permitted to exist in the political edifice,
there is danger of a crash. This weather, bad news, etc. etc. predispose both
the people and the army for peace—while the papers are filled with accounts of
the leniency of Sherman at Savannah, and his forbearance to interfere with the
slaves. The enemy cannot take care of the negroes—and to feed them in idleness
would produce a famine North and South. Emancipation now is physically
impossible. Where is the surplus food to come from to feed 4,000,000 idle
non-producers?
It is said by the press that
Mr. Seddon resigned because the Virginia Congressmen expressed in some way a
want of confidence in the cabinet. But Mr. Hunter was in the Secretary's office
early this morning, and may prevail on him to withdraw his resignation again,
or to hold on until all is accomplished.
Gen. Breckinridge, it is
said, requires the removal of Northrop, before his acceptance. Gen. Bragg is
also named.
Congress, in creating the
office of a commander-in-chief, also aimed a blow at Bragg's staff; and this
may decide the President to appoint him Secretary of War.
A long letter came to-day
from Governor Brown, dated Macon, Ga., Jan. 6th, 1865, in reply to a long one
from the Secretary of War, filled with criminations and recriminations, and a
flat refusal to yield the old men and boys in State service, in obedience to
the call of the "usurping" and "despotic" demand of the
Confederate States Executive. Georgia trembles, and may topple over any day!
Mr. Blair's return has
excited many vague hopes-among the rest, even of recognition by the United
States Government! Yet many, very many croakers, weary of the war, would
acquiesce in reconstruction, if they might save their property. Vain hopes.
It is rumored that a
commissioner (a Louisianian) sailed to-day for England, to make overtures to
that government.
The government has ordered
the military authorities at Augusta, Ga. (Jan. 21), to remove or burn all the
cotton in that town if it is likely to be occupied by the enemy.
Senator Hunter sends a letter
to Mr. Seddon which he has just received from Randolph Dickinson, Camp 57th
Virginia, stating that it is needful to inaugurate negotiations for the best
possible terms without delay, as the army, demoralized and crumbling, cannot be
relied upon to do more fighting, etc. Mr. Hunter indorses:
"My
dear sir, will you read the inclosed? I fear there is too much truth in it.
Can't the troops be paid?
"Yours most truly, R. M.
T. HUNTER."
SOURCE: John Beauchamp
Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 395-6
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