The New York herald., 1862-11-27
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
wAsuyoros, Nov. 20, 1859.

wAmuaros, Nov. 20, 1889.
TEE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Presidents message, ,Ssin bo withheld rom 'n
public and the press usa asr its delivery 70 Congress
| The premature - =. - the sssre
| tary ~ publication OF the repo,.
"" iSst year, aud the necessity for an importan,
alteration IN II tho night before the delivery OF the mes
sage cited US precedent why these documents should
not be 10 the press in advance OF delivery Of
the message.
THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
Most Of thereports 10 accompany Pres m.
nua message expected ready by Saturday next.
Those OF the Secretary of the Interior and
raj will be completed by that time The Secretary Of the
Treasury has beeu secluded to-day prcpaato or
bis report but from want Of the materials to furnished
oy SUBORDINATE bureaus, &c. and coordinate depart
ments WIZ hardly be ready FOR transmisson Con.
grsss with the message of the President, with the
statistics and details which only bs completed from
subsidiary reports this important document will DO
ready for presentation at The beginning Of the session
EXPEDITIONS TO MoBJAc1 BAY AND NEW KENT
COUNT HOUSE.
The rebel guerias up Moback bay have been shooting
our pickes and Gen Neglee Military Governor Of York
town, few days since ordered expedition into the
bay to destroy all the buildings inhabited by the rebels
He is determined to hold The people who reside in the
outrages committed An expedition went up York river
last Wednesday from Yorktown and destroyed store
and largo grst mill used by the rebels
reconnaissance with cavalry made asst weekiron.
Williamsburg by order Of Gen. Neglee to New Kent
Court House, within twenty nihes Of Richmond.
Our troops suddenly upon small force
of rebels who oeTtd resistance but soon rcsted
leaving two OF their number killed The federal force
brought back to Williamsburg six prisoners. eleven horss
ans several mskss and sabres abandoned by the rebos
in their flight.
GEN RUFUS KING APPOINTED MILITARY GOVERNOR
on NORFOLK.
Gen Rufus King has been appointed Military sovernor
of Norfolk, vice Con. Viee, relieved.
NAVAL ORDERS.
Acting Master George Ferris and Acting Assistaus sur
geon J. W. boore ordered to the steamer Circssian
THE CASE OF GENERAL Errz JOHN PORTER.
The Porter Military Commission met at eleven e'clock
to-day The following order read dissoiviug the
commission
SPECIAL oRpERs-No 362
HEAD QUARTERS The ARMY,
ASSISTANT ADiuTAsr GENERALS OFtIcs,
.ts - WASHINGTON, Nov. 81. 1862
The military commission ordered 70 assemble this
city the 10th ns by Special Ordor No $50, OF No
hereby dissolved and general court martial is hereby
appointed to meet in this city on the 9Th ns at eleven
O'Clock NJ soon thereafter practicable, for the
trial OF Major General Fitz Joha Porter
Detail for the court-Maor General D. Hunter, o. g ":
Major General r. A. hitchcock, v. lBldier Gene
raj Rufus King. o. $. v; Brigader General 3. NJ Prem
tss u S " Briguder General j. B. Ricketts,, u. 5. Al
Brgadicr General slas Casey u $ A.. brgadier Gene
Burord U s. VI Breyet Brisa i.er General W W Morris,
Z. $. A.; Colonel Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate Y 5 A.
BY G mmand of Mayor General HAl.LECK.
4. d. Tow wNsESD. A. A. G.
COLONEL DUTAssY AND THE SURRENDER OF HAIR
PEa's FERRY.
The part whic' Colonel DUtassy took in the surrender
of Harpers Ferry to DO somewhat msstated The
report the Board Of Inquiry he deems not have done
him full justice. After the surrender being decided upon
by superior officers, IL appears lie offered 10 cut his
way through the enemy which offer refused IL was
the Colonel who dictated the honorable terms Of
to the enemy, and succeeded saving the Hags of his
own regiment that Of the brigade commanded By him
Colonel DUtassy desrous Of having thcss facts known
to the public that his may be cleared OF a
blame in connection with the matter.
DECISION OF THE TAX COMMISSIONER.
The Commissioner OF Internal Revenue has decided thst
caus not tight fitted 10 preserve the contents
beyond brief period Of time are not subject 70 taxation
When however, meats, fish or shell fish are packed in
cans or other air tight vessels for the purpose and with
the expectation OF preserving such articles for consdera
bio periods Of lnc they subject 10 tax of five per
centum ad yalofeni Nor does such liability depend Upon
any previous preparation OF the articles FOR the purpose
OF aiding in thsr preservation. The exemption s due
to the fact that the or other PACKAGES
are not ar tight and that the contents arc not iherepy
preserved In such Is the duty or The assessors
to consider aud decide these questions.
The Commissioner has also decided that marine en-
cne itself as bull, and forming part OF the vessel is
not regarded "a nanacture, nor subject ~ taxation
under tho law Therc are, however articles used which
are in themselves manufactures and which are known 10
commerce such Thee u course, subject to Taxa
,ion and should be assessed af other manufactures
the builder of marine ca. zinc is himself tho msSuac
turer OF an article rsei In the structure re steam pump
or copper pipe he becomes liable as manufactures
whenever there Is a removal Cor sale or consurnpca
ARRIVAL or MEMBERS or c0NGREss.
Members OF Congress srrivns ~ every train and
have already become quite numerous.