Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-18

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator Fessen-
den reports the house naval appropriation
bill from the finance committee, with an
amendment providing that no contract shall
be entered into for the construction of the
iron sea steamers, for which twelve million
dollars are appropriated, until their plans
and specifications have been approved by
a board of three skilful naval officers, and
advertisements for proposals to build them
have been made according to law.
The provision for building Z floating dock
at New York is stricken out, and the appro-
priation for the items of the section contain
ing it, is reduced from $l,2l3,000 to $4G3,-
900. The appropriation tor the dry dock at
Norfolk, $3.50, 900, and for the naval hospital.
$780, 900, are striker out, and also that of
SIS, 200 for the naval hospital at Mound City,
Illinois.
The provision for an extra midshipman for
each congressional district during the rebel
lion is omitted.
CAPTURES.
Information has been received here that the
L. S. steamer Reliance, Capt. MCGOWAN, cap
| tured in the Monikin river and brought to
Port Baltimore on the 18th inst, the sloop
Clara and schooner North Star whilesattempt-
ing to run the blockade, loaded with contra
band goods. In addition to the contraband
goods, two colored boys aged about IS, were
found handcutted and slowed away in the hold
of the former vessel. They stated that they
had been forcible put on board the vessel, and
were to be takn to Richmond to be sold.
TAX LAW DECISION.
Commissioner Boutwell, has made the fol-
lowing decision under the internal revenue
law i'll regard to the manufacture OF patented
articles :-"Whenever person is the owner
of patent and the right to manufacture
patent article, and employs other persons to
make such patented ARTICLES, the patentor or
owner of the patent or right will be regarded
as the manufacturer, and the tax will be as
sesSed upon the sales as made by him or his
agents."
THE MISSOURI LOCAL TROOPS.
The war department, in answer to a call of
the senate, has presented official documents
showing the cause of the excess of the Mis-
souri, local troops above the authorization of
congress. The number raised was over 49,
900, an excess OF 3000 which were ordered
to be disbanded; but ON the protest of Gen.
Schotield they were allowed by Gen Halleck
to be retained in the service, for an emergen-
cy, but that orders have been given for the
disbanding Of four regiments, and their alb
sorptlon into others.
THE FINANCE BILL.
The bill to provide ways and means for the
support of the government will be returned
to the senate for further action the house
having non-concurred in several important
amendments of that body, including that for
striking out the right for the holder of per
centum treasury notes, and making the for
mer legal tender at their face value, eXclud-
ing interest to same extent as the U. S. notes
The house also nOn-concurred in striking out
the 9TH section, making on all bonds and
treasury notes, 30 days before they become
due, receivable for customs as coin; and non
concurred in striking out the section so
modifying the independent treasury law as to
authorize the secretary OF the treasury to al
low any money obtained from loans or inter-
ma! revenue to be deposited in solvent banks,
with adequate security for its payment. The
house also disagrees 10 the senates amend
ment to the bank tax section striking out the
sliding scale and substituting one-haf of one
per contum each half year from the first of
April next until April, 1865, upon tlr., aver
age amount of notes or bills outstanding as
currency during the six months next preced-
ing the returns provided for after the first of
April, 1860, the tax or duty to be one
per centum for each half year thereafter on
the average amount.
MISCELLANEOUS
There is generally more hopeful feeling
with regard to military and naval operations
than has prevailed for some months past. CON
sequent ON favorable accounts from all quar-
tiers. The weather, however, has impeded
immediate operations. No change of the com
mand OF the department of the Pacific is con. |
templated. There is the best authority for
stating that Gen. Shields will not be sent there
to supercede Gen. Wright.
Senator Wilson stated in the senate, YES
terday, in answer to a question, that the re-
port of Gen. Mcclellan on the Peninsular
campaign will soon be made-so says Wash
ington letter.
Capt. Hiram Paulding was to-day confirmed |
by the senate as a rear admiral in the navy, |
on the retired list