April 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
(CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MERCURY.)
RICHMOND, Thursday, April 23.
Certain farmers in Powhatan County, in this State, acting as arbitrators under the new law, declared the price of clover hay in that County should be twenty dollars the hundred weight. This went through the regular channels to the War Department, and thence to the Senate, which at once passed an amendment to the effect that when the Government agent is not satisfied of the justice of an arbitration, he shall proceed, nevertheless, to impress the property desired, give a receipt for it, endorsing on the award his reasons for disputing the justice of the price asked, and forwarding the same to the head of his Department, where the dispute shall be decided.
One of our papers is much exorcised at this action, which it denounces as the result of passion, rashness, haste and the want of manful intelligence. The farming and planting interests will not be better pleased. It seems strange there should be trouble about bread and meat, when there is none about the lives offered on the altar of the country. In this State the exchange of commodities has done more to bring out supplies than anything else. Last summer, when salt was offered at the country seats in exchange for bacon, the most incredible quantities came forth. The same would be the case now if the Government could spare sugar in place of salt; but it cannot.
It is well settled here, by men of all shades of opinion, that the war is to go on – the peace party at the North being non-existent or non effective, and the chances of foreign intervention quite as remote as they have even been. Hence there is much casting about for the chances not only of offence but of defence. Victories achieved on our own soil appear to do little good. The North now accepts defeat with equanimity, as an opening for new contracts and a margin for more profits. Perhaps our victories are not decisive enough, or it may be that victories gained on the enemy’s ground may avail something. What disposition of our forces is to be made to accomplish this, and what concentration of military talent can be effected to further this end? These are the prominent questions outside of official circles,’into the secrets of which the profane vulgus is not permitted to penetrate.
The President is said to be very sick, and in danger of losing his other eye. Yankee prints and pins were sold at Keat’s auction yesterday. Watch charms, containing sixteen minute photographs of Confederate Generals, are among the latest curiosities from Baltimore. ‘Taphauser,’ you Bulwer poem, has been published here, and sells at $2.50 a copy. Gov. Letcher is out for Congress. The Enquirer supports Munford for Governor; the Whig will probably sustain Flournoy. Hubard will withdraw. Cloudy, warm and very wet.
HERMES.