Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Hon. Caleb Cushing--things in Fredericksburg — hard Times, &c., &c.
Fredericksburg, Va.,Dec. 22.
Hon. Caleb Cushing passed through this place this evening, on his return from South Carolina.
Nearly all the way from Richmond he was surrounded by a crowd, to whom he was discoursing on the state of the country.
He believes that if the South had united on some one man during the last canvass, and had presented an undivided front to Northern fanaticism, we should have been freed from our present troubles.
He thinks that Virginia erred immensely when she refused to go into a conference with South Carolina.
I was much interested in his remarks, and felt the more because he seemed to be really afflicted for his country.
All I learned, as to the success of his mission, was, that South Carolina would shun collision with the Federal Government as far as possible. Times are very hard here. Merchants are doing but little. There have been some failures. But we hope for a better day.
Frederick Coleman. Esq., the Senator from this District, is very ill, and fears are entertained as to his recovery. Dr. Coleman, of your city, and Prof. Coleman, of the University, arrived here this evening to see him.
The little folks are anticipating a joyful time, as Christmas is so near.
The Commissioners from South Carolina to the Federal Government passed on to-day, in company with Mr. Cushing.
Yours, &c.,
