New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-06
IMPORTANT WAYS AND MEANS MEASURES
REPORTS FROM RICHMuSD.
List Of Union Prisoners Died ThesA
An ENGAGEMENT ON THE UPPER POT0lAa.
Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Jan. s, 1862.
A NEW POINT OF INTEREST.

slightly attracted to the Gulf Of Mexico, al
though it is in that direction that tho shrewd-
est observers look for a speck of war. O-r
danger lies less 10 the Spanish occupation OF
Vera Cruz, significant though it be-a purpcsets
reconquer" something more than the affec-
tions" of Mexico-than in the Eoglish occupa-
ton of Matamoras, which is probably already
ON accomplished fact. The purpose Of Great
Britain, in possessing herself of this port, 10
thinly disguised from those who, more fortunate
than our Government, whose knowledge con.
corning Mexican affairs is VIGOROUSLY deficient.
have access to official sources Of information.
They believe that, Immediately upon the occu.
patton, an Illicit commere Will spring up be-
tween Natamoras and Brownsville, Texas, 90
the opposite bank Of the Rio Grande, which
will defy our blockading vessels, both places
being forty miles from the sea; commerce
fostered BY Great Britain in the hope Of sup
plying herself through this channel with cotton,
for which she means to pay with commodities
most needed by the Rebels.
! IMPORTANT WAYS AND MEANS MEASURES.
! The Ways and Means Committee will at
once report to the House the two important
schemes which have been under consideration
/ for some time by their ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS fer
national currency, including temporary re-
/ lief OF the Treasury by authorizing the further
issue of Treasury notes; the other for aug.
mentiog the revenue by increased duties on
iron, salt, spices, &C., and an excise duty
on distilled and iermented spirits, tobacco, and
many articles of luxury. 1t is thought that
revenue Of from $3.50, OOO.o 600 to $500, GOO
can thus be secured with which to form
basis of Government credit.
THE BANKS AND THE NATIONAL LOAN.
The principal purpose Of the visit OF thu
Bank Presidents here was TO arrange for the
payment of the balance due on their taking Of
the National Loau, some $50 100000. They
Will also confer with Secretary Chase On too
financial policy Of the Government. and, It 10
said, oppose generally the great National Cur
rency scheme low before tue Ways and
Means COMMITTEE. Thus far, they bave sus'
gested no substitute for it.
THE LEASE OF THE PHILADELPHIA AND ERIE
RAILROAD.
The Directors Of tho Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, obeyiDg their stockholders irstruc-
tons, have accepted the contract and lease OK
the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, for 99J
years. BY this arrangement which was con-
summa,ed yesterday, very important railway
connection between the Lake City Of Erie, aud
Washington, and Baltimore, Philadelphia, aud
New-York viii be completed within tho current
year.
SLAVERY IN TIE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.
The House Committee on the Dstrict Of
Columbia will, at an early day, report q bill
abolishing Slavery in the District, similar to
that introduced into the Senate by Mr. Wilson.
TIE HEAL1H OF GEN. MCCLELLAN.
Gen. Mcclellan is'much better, ond has been
up on hour or two to-day Gen. Marcy dfovS
out for tie first Time to-day.
ARRIVAL OF GIN. FREMoNT--MAJoR ZAGoNyI.
Gen. aud Mrs. Fremont arrived last evening.
and went at once to their rooms on I street.
Major Zagonyi of the Body Guard, and several
members of bis late staff, accompanied him.
Major Zagonyi seeks ard will doubtless obtain
an opportunity TO see active service. Gen.
Fremont will be examined by the Committee
on the Conduct of the War, tomorrow.
THE AoEUDUCT BRlGDE.
The aQueduct bridge at Georgetown has been
plnuked over and the water drawn of, so thas
Government wagons can cross.
HARD TIMES IN RICHMOND.
| 4 member of the Leg stature, at Richmond,
who recently returned to Fairfax Cour'-Hou'e.
STATES that there is o great scarcity OF salt in
that city, SO high as $50 sack being paid tor
that article From SIS to $50 were demanded
for a pair of boots, while only 81 were asked
for a barrel Of -four. For want OF salt, tho
farmers have delayed killing their hogs from
month 10 month. In the meantime tue corn
mon which they are led is gradually becoming
exhausted. This scarcity OF salt Is particularly
in and around Fairfax Courthouse. lns
Union residents in that neighborhood ha''
pettioned Gen. Wad.worth to suppl, them
Our scouts from Fairfax Courthouse sIa''
that the Rebel soldiers near that place are 90
destitute that they appropriate the clothing
the negroes 10 their own use. Two OF ou'
scouts made a search OF the village ana onv
three coat, were found in it. The same
scouts from Fairfax Court House report ina'
the horses are dying there in great numoerS
in consequence of the want OF iooS iodde''
Not more than 500 pounds weight OF forage
ans, La trans,orted by railroad at one time.