Clear and cool. It is now
said Mr. Seddon's resignation has not yet been accepted, and that his friends
are urging the President to persuade him to remain. Another rumor says ex-Gov.
Letcher is to be his successor, and that Mr. Benjamin has sent in his
resignation. Nothing seems to be definitely settled. I wrote the President
yesterday that, in my opinion, there was no ground for hope unless
communication with the enemy's country were checked, and an entire change in
the conscription business speedily ordered. I was sincere, and wrote plain
truths, however they might be relished. It is my birth-right. It is said (I
doubt it) that Mr. Blair left the city early yesterday. To add to the confusion
and despair of the country, the Secretary of the Treasury is experimenting on
the currency, ceasing to issue Treasury notes, with unsettled claims demanding
liquidation to the amount of hundreds of millions. Even the clerks, almost in a
starving condition, it is said will not be paid at the end of the month; and
the troops have not been paid for many months; but they are fed and clothed.
Mr. Trenholm will fail to raise our credit in this way; and he may be
instrumental in precipitating a crash of the government itself. No doubt large
amounts of gold have been shipped every month to Europe from Wilmington; and
the government may be now selling the money intended to go out from that port.
But it will be only a drop to the ocean.
The Northern papers say Mr.
Blair is authorized to offer an amnesty, including all persons, with the
"Union as it was, the Constitution as it is" (my old motto on the
"Southern Monitor," in 1857); but gradual emancipation. No doubt some
of the people here would be glad to accept this; but the President will fight
more, and desperately yet, still hoping for foreign assistance.
What I fear is starvation;
and I sincerely wish my family were on the old farm on the Eastern Shore of
Virginia until the next campaign is over.
It is believed Gen. Grant
meditates an early movement on our left—north side of the river; and many
believe we are in no condition to resist him. Still, we have faith in Lee, and
the President remains here. If he and the principal members of the government
were captured by a sudden surprise, no doubt there would be a clamor in the
North for their trial and execution!
Guns have been heard to-day,
and there are rumors of fighting below; that Longstreet has marched to this
side of the river; that one of our gun-boats has been sunk; that Fort Harrison
has been retaken; and, finally, that an armistice of ninety days has been
agreed to by both governments.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp
Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 396-7
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