A gentleman, arrived to-day from Maryland, reports that Gen. McClellan has been removed, and the command given to Burnside! He says, moreover, that this change has given umbrage to the army. This may be our deliverance; for if McClellan had been let alone two weeks longer (provided he ascertained our present condition), he might have captured Richmond, which would be holding all Eastern and much of Central Virginia. This blunder seems providential.
We learn, also, that the Democracy have carried Illinois, Mr. Lincoln's own State, by a very large majority. This is hailed with gladness by our people; and if there should be a "rebellion in the North," as the _Tribune_ predicts, this intervention of the Democrats will be regarded altogether in our favor. Let them put down the radical Abolitionists, and then, no doubt, they will recover some of our trade. It will mortify the Republicans, hereafter, when the smoke clears away, to learn that Gen. Butler was trading supplies for our army during this November, 1862--and it will surprise our secessionists to learn that our government is trading him cotton!
NOVEMBER 14TH.--An order has gone forth to-day from the Secretary of War, that no more flour or wheat shall leave the States. This order was given some time ago--then relaxed, and now reissued. How soon will he revoke it again?
Never before did such little men rule such a great people. Our rulers are like children or drunken men riding docile horses, that absolutely keep the riders from falling off by swaying to the right and left, and preserving an equilibrium. There is no rule for anything, and no stability in any policy.
To-day more propositions from Frenchmen (in New Orleans) have been received. Butler is preparing to do a great business--and no objection to the illicit traffic is filed by the Secretaries of State or Treasury.
Yesterday one of the President's servants was arrested for stealing Treasury notes. The Treasury Department is just under the Executive Department; and this negro (slave) has been used by the President to take important papers to the departments. The amount abstracted was $5000--unsigned--but some one, perhaps the negro, for he is educated, forged the Register's and Treasurer's names.