The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-17
COMMUNICATIONS.


The following letter comes to us fully au-
thenticated. 1t exhibits state of weakness
and depression in the Confederacy, exceed
Ing any representations which have hereto
fore been made. That there is great want of
some of the commonest necessaries of life in
remote counties Of Virginia. is true; but this
want does not alone explain the monstrous
prices now ruling at Richmond. Every ship
load of supplies, which eludes the blockade Of
the Virginia coast, is sent forward 10 the cap
ital. There, il anywhere, is abundance; and
there the rebel Misgovernment is staggering
into ruin under the oppression of depreciat-
ed currency and boundless imitation of pric-
es. Those who see evidence of depreciation
of cur national currency in the slight and cas-
lily explained advance of prices in Northern
markets, and above all those who unreasona-
bly, try to measure it by the rise of gold, will
fud this exhibition Of the results of real de-
probation Of currency instructive. II the
prices quoted in this letter may be relied on,
the Conspiracy is gigantic bubble, and may
burst at any moment. OF the writer's oppor-
tunities for knowing the state OF the Rich
mond market, the reader can judge The
genuineness of the letter itself is undoubted,
though we omit for obvious reasons such
names as might serve to identity the writer:
-, VA, Jan. IL, 1858.
Though have no definite idea how or when
letter is to go ~to you,-dear, will write
hoping that among the various changes that
are occurring around us, a gunboat may come
In or some other opportunity present itself by
which can send for sure am that no one
mi t.lf mo srla N, hs.ar
your own dear SELF
The first year Of the war, though there was
much excitement among the people here there
was no distress. The traders had large stocks
of goods on hand, and occasionally a vessel
would elude the vigilance of the blockading
squadron and bring in articles TO supply the
people; the crops too were good. This state
Of things could not last however-virqinia. be-
ing the seat of war and having a large army
In her midst to support, the lower counties
have been gradually drained of their surplus
for the support OF the army, until the last
year, when the crops partially failed and the
people at the commencement of this winter
found themselves not only impoverished but
in a state bordering on starvation. Notwith-
standing this, such is the desire for gain that
edibles Of every description have been and are
being collected and carried TO Richmond
where they command fabulous prices, while
hundreds are suffering here and in neghbor-
ing counties for the same articles. Those who
are engaged In the business seem TO forget
that Confederate scrip ofitsef will not satisfy
hunger, OF clothe the naked.
In addition TO this, the blockade has been
more strictly enforced the last year, and no
Northern production nor groceries Of any de-
scription, can be brought here, unless indeed by
smuggling. No cloth, nor Shoes, nor salt, nor
any SO necessary article. True, there isa deal
OF smuggling done, and successfully; but the
people here are seldom benefited byit. Ecery-
thing goes TO Richmond
How sick am OF the name of that city; yet
1t Is the Mecca of every virginian Firmly
believing her TO be invunerable that she can
not be shaken, they are doing all in their pow
er TO support and sustain her In her naughty
rebellion, entirely overlooking the fact so an
parent 10 others, that whether she stand or
fall, she is irretrievaby ruined for generations
to come shall give you a list Of prices M
which articles are selling there, that YOU NAV
have some idea of the state of things.
We have been agitated and excited in vari-
Gus ways durpg the last year. Mr.. IS
two sons, - and -, were compelled to fly
from their home In --- last, in order TO pre-
vent being pressed into the Southern service.
This was a fresh afiiiction to Mr.. -, depriv-
nj N 0nnT aud