Bright and frosty.
The "peace
commissioners" remained Sunday night at Petersburg, and proceeded on their
way yesterday morning. As they passed our lines, our troops cheered them very
heartily, and when they reached the enemy's lines, they were cheered more
vociferously than ever. Is not this an evidence of a mutual desire for peace?
Yesterday, Mr. De Jarnette,
of Virginia, introduced in Congress a resolution intimating a disposition on
the part of our government to unite with the United States in vindication of
the "Monroe doctrine," i.e. expulsion of monarchies established on
this continent by European powers. This aims at France, and to aid our
commissioners in their endeavors to divert the blows of the United States from
us to France. The resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations.
If there be complication with
France, the United States may accept our overtures of alliance, and our people
and government will acquiesce, but it would soon grow an unpopular treaty. At
this moment we are hard pressed, pushed to the wall, and prepared to catch at
anything affording relief. We pant for a "breathing spell." Sherman
is advancing, but the conquest of territory and liberation of slaves, while
they injure us, only embarrass the enemy, and add to their burdens. Now is the
time for the United States to avert another year of slaughter and expense.
Mr. Foote has been denouncing
Mr. Secretary Seddon for selling his wheat at $40 per bushel.
It is rumored that a column
of the enemy's cavalry is on a raid somewhere, I suppose sent out from Grant's
army. This does not look like peace and independence. An extract from the New
York Tribune states that peace must come soon, because it has reliable
information of the exhaustion of our resources. This means that we must submit
unconditionally, which may be a fatal mistake.
The raiders are said to be on
the Brooke Turnpike and Westhaven Road, northeast of the city, and menacing us
in a weak place. Perhaps they are from the Valley. The militia regiments are
ordered out, and the locals will follow of course, as when Dahlgren came.
Hon. Mr. Haynes of the Senate
gives information of a raid organizing in East Tennessee on Salisbury, N. C.,
to liberate the prisoners, cut the Piedmont Road, etc.
Half-past two P. M. Nothing
definite of the reported raid near the city. False, perhaps.
No papers from the President
to-day; he is disabled again by neuralgia, in his hand, they say.
