nder got control of it under Mr. Benjamin. Lieut. K. is from
Louisiana, but originally from New York.

Mr. Benjamin sent over to-day extracts from dispatches from Mr. Slidell
and a Mr. Hotze, agent, showing how the government is swindled in Europe
by the purchasing agents of the bureaus here. One, named Chiles, in the
purchase of $650,000, Mr. Slidell says, was to realize $300,000 profit!
And Mr. Hotze (who is he?) says the character and credit of the
government are ruined abroad by its own agents! Mr. Secretary Seddon
will soon see into this matter.

Capt. Warner says the Federal prisoners here have had no meat for three
days, Commissary-General Northrop having none, probably, to issue. One
hundred tons rations, however, came up for them yesterday on the flag
boat.

Exchange on London sells at $1 for $18.50, and gold brings about the
same. Our paper money, I fear, has sunk beyond _redemption_. We have
lost _five_ steamers lately; and it is likely the port of Wilmington
(our last one) will be hermetically sealed. Then we shall soon be
destitute of ammunition, unless we retake the mineral country from the
enemy.

Mr. Memminger has sent a press to the trans-Mississippi country, to
issue paper money there.

Mr. Slidell writes that all our shipments to and from Matamoras ought to
be under the French flag. There may be something in this.

The President was expected back to-day; and perhaps came in the evening.
He is about to write his message to Congress, which assembles early in
December, and perhaps he desired to consult Gen. Lee.

Everywhere the people are clamorous against the sweeping impressments of
crops, horses, etc. And at the same time we have accounts of corn, and
hay, and potatoes rotting at various depots! Such is the management of
the bureaus.

The clerks are in great excitement, having learned that a proposition
will be brought forward to put all men under forty-five years of age in
the army. It will be hard to carry it; for the heads of departments
generally have nephews, cousins, and pets in office, young and rich, who
care not so much for the salaries (though they get the best) as for
exemption from service in the field. And the editors will oppose it, as
they are mostly of conscript age. And the youthful members of Congress
could not escape odium if they exempted themselves, unless disabled by
wounds.

NOVEMBER 24TH.--The President is expected back to-day. A letter from
Gen. Lee indicates that