From the Charleston Mercury, 12/2/1861
Our Richmond
Correspondence.
RICHMOND, November
28.
A gentleman just from Gen. STUART’S outposts tells me that
an advance is momentarily expected. RUSSELL, in his letter of October 27, says
we can easily be shelled out of Evansport – a statement corroborated by
“Bohemian’s” account of the accurate firing of the Yankees a few days ago, each
of their shells bursting exactly at the mark, while our shooting was oftentimes
wild. RUSSELL says our guns are not heavy enough in calibre.
Mr. JNO. ENDERS, a prominent broker of this city proposes
the following “Relief for the Planters:”
1st. The incorporation by Congress of a Joint
Stock Company, with a capital of $10,000,000, and the investment of this fund in
the bonds of the Confederacy.
2d. The privilege of issuing bills, for an amount equal to
the sum deposited.
3d. The privilege of issuing bills, based upon the deposit
with the Government of produce certificates.
“The author,” says a morning paper, “devoted much thought
to this subject; and the scheme certainly has many very attractive features.
Every person connected with it -- borrower, lender and Government -- all are to
be benefitted by it. Such is the promise, and from the exhibit, such seems to be
the probable result.”
When the war broke out, there was a great pack of
telegraphic wire, acids, &c. Dr. MORRIS, the President of the Southern Telegraph
Company, has displayed great energy in remedying this lack. He has brought
sulphuric acid from all parts of the Confederacy, and even from Mexico; and he
has started a wire factory at the Tredegar Works in this City, which is now, as
I learn, turning out excellent wire.
Our stay-at-home gentry are much excited by the report that
the militia are to be called out on the first of January and drilled every day,
as at Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans.
The long article in yesterday’s Enquirer on the seizure of
MASON and SLIDELL, in which the international law points involved are so
indefatigably discussed, is attributed to Judge MONROE.
With all his vigilance, LINCOLN cannot blockade letters,
especially those of business men. Letters are now sent to New York by way of
Europe, while others go straight through. The postage on the European line is
one dollar, and on the underground railroad seventy-five cents.
It is no fiction that the negros who escape into the hands
of the Yankees are subjected to the most cruel treatment. I have it from a
gentleman who watched the process for one hour through an excellent glass, that
the negros at the Rio Raps, (Castle Calhoun, near Old Point), are harnessed like
beasts of burthen and made thus to haul heavy stones. Precious this!
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