wisdom. You have no idea how much benifit they been to us who in the border States are fighting the battle for a Southern confederacy. Only one thing I desire to caution against: Don not now push the matter looking to slaves coming from the border-States. Virginia to be moved at all, must not be threatened, and all of that sort of legislation at this time only embarrasses us. As to the border States, I being to see daylight. The Virginia people voted under the delusion, skillfully planted in their minds by Douglas, Crittenden, and others that the Crittenden proposition could be obtained, and, more, that the North would instantly ratify and make it part of the Constitution, and the cotton States thereupon come back. Since this illusion has been dispelled by events, there has been a marked reaction all over the State in favor if secessuion at once. The Petersburg vote is only one indication. There have been in the ten days just passed a number to meetings of both parties, all declaring for secession, mostly unanimous and all overwhelming for secession. The resolutions toe the mark and use the word. Richmond is overwhelmingly with us, and the people are idignant at the course of the covention. These meetings have been held in all parts of the of the State, Western Virginia included, and are all one way. I am satisfied in a popular vote we could cary Virginia by 20,000 majorirty to-mororw. now, this feeling is rising every day, and I feel confident that it will finally act on the convention and induce them to put the State out. We shall win the battle in Virginia without doubt. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Mason are greatly encourage, and so are all of our friends. The border States will all follow Virginia, and in three or four days after Virginia secedes this place will be deserted by the Yankee Government. I have been anxious to make a visti to Montgomery, but have not been able to arrnage it.

Very truly, yours,

L. Q. WASHINGTON.

[1.]

WASHINGTON, March 17, 1861.

[L. P. WALKER:]

MY DEAR SIR: I received your telegraphic dispatch last night after my arrival here from Baltimore. I hope the officer will soon arrive, as the men are coming in rapidly. I except to have 100 by his arrival. I thought it not prudent to send them to Charleston before they were examined and found fir for service, as thereby we might have been put to the expense of paying for the transportation of men who would be on examination rejected. I have, as I informed you, raised $3,000 on your authority to draw, and should more be necessary W. T. Walters & Co., of Baltimore, will make the advances on the draft of the officer sent. They will advance to any amount necessary. They charge no commissions or discount. The feeling in Baltimore is strongly in our favor. I was there during the session of their convention, and had, at their request, a conference with the Virginia commissioners the night before they left for Richmond. They will urge strongly the immediate secession on that State. In the event that Virginia will not lead, an effort will be made to take Meryland out and drag Virginia after her. My belief is that Maryland cannot be kept in the Union much longer. The leading men are only deterred from now making the effort in hopes of getting Virginia to lead. I saw McMahon, Norris, Larue, Dent, Jones, and others, and there is no division of opinion among them. They asked anxiously of the disposition andConfederate States to send them aid in the event of their having to go out alone. They are