d that Gen. McClellan has been nominated by the Chicago
Convention for President, and Fernando Wood for Vice-President. There is
some interest felt by our people in the proceedings of this convention,
and there is a hope that peace candidates may be nominated and elected.

Senator Johnson (Missouri) told me to-day that he had seen Mrs. Vaughan
(wife of our Gen. V.), just from the United States, where she had been
two months; and she declares it as her belief that Gen. McClellan will
be elected, if nominated, and that he is decidedly for peace. She says
the peace party would take up arms to put an end to Lincoln's sanguinary
career, but that it is thought peace can be soonest restored by the
ballot-box.

The President to-day arrested the rush of staff appointments.

To-day an old gentleman, after an interview with Mr. Secretary ----,
said he might be a good man, an honest man; but he certainly had a "most
villainous face."

SEPTEMBER 3D.--Slight rain in the morning.

There is an ugly rumor on the streets to-day--disaster to Gen. Hood, and
the fall of Atlanta. I cannot trace it to an authentic source; and, if
true, the telegraph operatives must have divulged it.

A dispatch from Petersburg states that there is much cheering in Grant's
army for McClellan, the nominee of the Chicago Convention for the
Presidency.

I think the resolutions of the convention amount to a defiance of
President Lincoln, and that their ratification meetings will inaugurate
civil war.

The President has called upon the Governor of Alabama for the entire
militia of the State, to be mustered into the service for the defense of
the States. It is dated September 1st, and will include all exempted by
the Conscription Bureau as _farmers_. Every farm has its exempted or
detailed man under bonds to supply meat, etc.

I incline to the belief that Hood has met with disaster at Atlanta. If
so, every able-bodied man in that State will be hunted up for its
defense, unless, indeed, the Union party should be revived there.

There will be a new clamor against the President, for removing Johnston,
and for _not_ putting Beauregard in his place.

But we may get aid from the North, from their civil dissensions. If
Lincoln could precipitate 500,000 additional men upon us now, we should
be compelled to give back at all points. But this he cannot do. And the
convention at Chicago did not adjourn _sine die_, and may be called
again at any time to exercise _ot