_Nov. 18._ General Saxton has given orders that all work on the
plantations[148] in preparation for next year's crop shall be stopped,
for he expects to give them up either to the purchasers or the
tax-commissioners very soon. The tax men are here, as amicably
disposed towards each other as cat and dog, and as they are not
remarkable for their efficiency in matters of business, I do not think
it very likely that they will accomplish much this winter. They have
two parties of surveyors at work, but they don't seem to be doing much
but chop vines and sail about the creeks in boats.