by John Beauchamp Jones
DECEMBER 31ST.—Yesterday the Senate passed the following bill, it having previously passed the House:
“A Bill to be entitled An Act to put an end to the exemption, from military service of those who have heretofore furnished substitutes.
“Whereas, in the present circumstances of the country, it requires the aid of all who are able to bear arms, the Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That no person shall be exempted from military service by reason of his having furnished a substitute; but this act shall not be so construed as to affect persons who, though not liable to render military service, have, nevertheless, put in substitutes.”
It was preceded by discussion, yet only two votes were cast in the negative. Mr. Wigfall, it is said, was strangely indisposed; however that might be, his speech is represented as being one of the best ever delivered by him.
To-morrow the President throws open his house for a public reception : his enemies allege that this is with a view to recovering popularity
It rained during the whole of this day. Nevertheless, the Jews have been fleeing to the woods with their gold, resolved to take up their abode in the United States rather than fight for the Confederate States, where they leave in the ranks the substitutes hired by them.
