_Halleckiana, plus._ I am told that Halleck refused to telegraph to Meade Mr. Lincoln's strategical conceptions.
_July 9._--Chewing and spitting paramount here, require incalculable numbers of spittoons. The lickspittles outnumber the spittoons.
_July 10._--The politicians already begin to broadly _play their game_. I use the sacramental expressions. What a disgusting monstrosity is a thorough politician! Not even a eunuch! There is nothing in a politician to be emasculated: no mind, no heart, no manhood. In what a _galere_ I got--not by personal contact--but by intellectually observing the worms on the body politic of my--at any rate heartily adopted--country.
_July 11._--Repeatedly and repeatedly certain newspaper correspondents announce to the world that Senator Sumner exercises considerable influence on the supreme power. All things considered, I wish it may be so, but I see it is not. Sumner's influence ought to have produced some palpable results. I see none.
The international maritime complications are watched and defeated by Welles.
_Drapez vous, messieurs, drapez vous_--in the statesman toga, history and truth will take it off from your shoulders.
_July 12._--Mr. Seward is very ardently at work--Weed marshaling Seward--to reconstruct slavery and Union, to give a very large if not a general amnesty to the rebels, to shake hands with them, in pursuance of the Mercier-Richmond programme, and to be carried into the White House on the shoulders of the grateful Union-saviours, Copperheads, and blood-stained traitors. The _Herald_, the _World_, the _National Intelligencer_ and others of that creed will sing _gloria in excelsis_ to Seward.
_July 13._--What is _Meade_ doing? It is exciting to know why a blow is not yet dealt on the head of retreating rebels. Or is it that though West Point generals--on both sides--tolerably understand how to fight a battle, they subside when the finishing stroke is to be dealt. Oh for a general who understands how to manoeuvre against the enemy!!!
I hear from a very reliable source, that during the excitement brewing before the day of Gettysburgh, the honorable Post Master General by a special biped message insinuated to the honorable governor of New York that the governor may ask the removal of Stanton for the safety of the country and of patriots of the Postmaster's and the governor's species.