Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-18
From Washington.

naval depot, signed by rear admiral String ham,
Com. Gardrer Com. Van Brunt and engineer
Sanger, makes choice of New London in prefer.
creme TO League Island, NarraSansett Bay be-
ing Objectionable on account Ut fogs. IL claims
for New Lon,lOn superiority in the ease o. ac-
cess freedom from Instructions from the drift
of moving ice, for safe anchorage, adap
tatlOn TO the construction of dry docks,
for grading or filling, and healthuluess of oca-
ton. The report m .kes League Island and New
London equal in facility for providing work men
and supplies, cost of site, security against at
Tack, depth of water, and supply of fresh water,
and gives League Island superiority in the iacli-
~ tor obtaining coal, iron and fresh water and
better for preserving the bottoms of vessels The
minority report of Prof Bache and Lieut. Com
manier Thomas S. Phelps gives League Island
the preference in deten>bty agaiut exposure
and against violent Winds anchorage situation
of site, facility for procuring supplies, and to
New London in only Two points, viz: health and
exposure 10 ice
TIE invalid pension bill appropriates nearly
eight million collars for the year ending with
June 1864, of which there ate for invalid pen
Sons under various acts, three millions; for PEN
sionS to Revolutionary sol lieIS $4,000; for pen
si'nS 10 widows and orphans under the acts of
1896, 1873, 1853, aud 1853 So, 800 900; navy in
valid pensions Sl35, 600; 10 lazy widows and
orphans, 1000; prlyateer Invalid pensions
$500.
The deficiency bill for the wear ending with
June 1868, appropriateS sos 800 900 including
the following items: Supplies tor the quarter
masters Departments $4,000, 600: for the purchase
of horses S1l 100000; transportation and sup
plies S25, 900 900; barracks and hospitals ST.
10000; clothing and tquipa4e S2.7l3 800; Tor
the support OF the fleet OF steam rams $50 900;
arms and ordnance $l3, l27 900; gunpowder and
lead 81 5000; medical department nearly S4,
100000; surveys for military defence $50, 900;
subsistence S18, 10000.
The commi, -ioner of internal revenue has
made the following decisions: that morocco,
goat, kid, or sheep skins subject to single
duty OF four per Ccntum ad valorem, payable eth
er when tanned, cunitd, finished. Under
the provisions Of section IS Of the excise law by
which building stoue is declared not TO be man
utucture, it is held that designed for build
ings, whether rough hewn or carved, is not snb-
Ject to taxation, provided that the articles manu-
featured from stone, marble, or 81 att-such as
hreplaceS and mantcl pieces-cYen though de-
signed for particular buildings, but which are of
such nature that they might be introduced into
The commerce of the country ariclt of trade,
are subject TO a tax of per centum adyaiCrem.
Other mani tactures of stone, marble, or State,
which are ret OgnIzed as articles of trade sub
ject TO Il tax If per centum advalorem 1t is
the duty of assessors and assistant assessors 10
apply those duties to cases they arise.
Exchange inland stamps, when all these in
strumentS-namcly mortgage, bond, and hole
are given TO secure the debt the law re.
quires that each instrument shall have its appro-
prlafe stamps; powers of attorney given to claim
attorneys, agents, and others, 10 prosecute the
claims Of relatives of deceased soldiers, Tor pen.
sion, bounty, and back pay, require the dollar
stamp provided by the excise law to be affixed
to the general power of attorney.
Whenever any person shall make communi-
CARTON to the office OF internal revenue, in the
nature If an appeal from the action OF asses
sor or an assistant assessor in the discharge of
his official duties, for the purpose of obtaining
an opinion the liability OF the Wi er 10 tax
alton, such communication must be first submit
ted 10 the assessor of the district and hi, written
assent given 10 the truth Of the statement made
in the communication, or The writer must certify
That he has transmitted copy thereof 10 the as
SCISSOR of the district either by mail or otherwise.
The appeal will be considered and the answer
forwarded TO The writer through the assessor
from whom The appeal is to be aken.
To-day highly influential delegation of men,
bers OF both houses of congress, with vice presi-
dent Hamlin at their hean waited on the presi-
dent with a request, numeruusly signed by loyal
men OF florida ASKING for appointment Of Hon.
Ell Thayer as military governor of that state,
with authority o raise Twenty thousand loyal
emIArants. They also presented 10 the president
paper, signed by one hundred and thirty-four
members of the senate and house, earnestly con-
currlug in the request of the loyal men of Fluri-
da, and paper from NJ Gen. Hunter, in com
mand of the department Of The south, on the
same officer. The committee were well satisfied
with ting interview.
In the Mcdowell court of inquiry to-day, Mai.
Gen. Rufus King was examined and contradlcled
portion of The testimony of Pceg Clarke, with
reference 10 the alleged spy, Little He stated
also, that they were instructed by Gen. Mellow
ell TO preserve the growing crops in order TO Sc
cure them for the use OF the army. He thought
though they we've subsequently harvested for
the Use of our army. tie further proved that the
good effect of General McDowell's orders in
taiS particular had fine effect On The disci-
pine of his troops, and that the subst quent
change in the policy bad very bad
effect upon the discipline of the army.
Brig. Gen. NadswUrih testified to Gen. Me-
DowelfS efficiency as corps commander He
did not believe Gen Mcdowell Was Instrumental
in having the department of the Rappahnnnock
formed, tor he had expressed 10 him his regret
at having his command separated from The army
OF the Potomac. The reason why Mcdowell did
not join the army of he Potomac at subse
quent period was (the witness was iniormrd)
that he did not think tie number of troops which
would thus he left tor the defence of Washington
would he sufficient
The city councils of Washington to-day me-
morlallzed congress TO aid the construction of
the Mctr' poliian railroad from this city TO Ha-
gerstuwn, and from here to the deep waters of the
Chesapeake, the latter twenty mics. Tue me-
morializers state that by a road 10 Pointof Rocks
htty-One miles of transportation in effect, and
three million of dollars annually could be saved
to the government. The railroad company will
furnish one-tbird or one-fouith The capital and
ask the government 10 guarantee their bonus for
the remainder of the sum necessary TO its com
etion Inc cost per mile not to exceed fifty
thousand dollars. The whole line could soon be
constracted. The point is made that all capitals
have several dIvergiug railroads. aud Richmond
mas flve. also that the navigation OF the Potomac
Is liable ~ constructions fro II natioual or military
causes.