The New York herald., 1863-03-04

reported that General bioioy nas sons ns asnea-
try, 500 strong Shreveport. and has gone up
with the balance of his command. consisting Of
artillery and cavalry. to Atchsfaiaya river. The
infantry were said to be entirely destitute Of am
muntioa.
The rebels made an attempt to capture the
steamer Laurel Hill, which was loaded with q car
go of cotton. sugar and molasses, obtained above
Baton Rouge. She ventured too near Port Hud.
son, and the rebels placed ten batteries of artil
lery below her. The Essex went to her assist
ance, and the rebels fed without firing shot.
The Southern papers are complaining that the
operations of the army and the speoulators in
rebeldom have brought starvation upon the
people. The orders of General Pemberton, pro-
hibiting the shipment of -four and meal south
wards, is felt so severely at Mobile that famine
appears to be imminent there.
JEFF. Davis has appointed, by . proclamation
in which he seems to make manifest his religious
character and his familiarity with Holy writ-a
day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, ON Friday
the 9th instant. He says that it is by prayer
alone that the Southern Confederacy can hope to
obtain continuation of those mercies which have
shielded it in the midst Of previous trials and dis
asters, and so forth.
Gen. Foster had returned to his command at
Newbern, N. c., on Friday, and everything was
quiet there at that time.
CONGRESS.
The thirty-seventh Congress will expire to-day
Both houses passed large number of bills and
resolutions yesterday, but want of space forbids
an extensive reference to the proceedings. Full
details are given in another part Of today's
HERALD.
THE LEGISLATURE.
In the Senate at Albany yesterday hume
rously signed petition in favor of railroad in
Broadway was presented. The Volunteer Bounty
Tax bill was passed. 1t legalizes both past and
future acts of boards of supervisors for raising
money to pay bountes to volunteers. pream.
BILE and resolutions deprecating the specuatons
in gold were introduced. They call for an inyes-
tgaton into the amounts of money loaned on
gold, and the names of the borrowers, and re-
quire full returns from the banks Of all matters
which may shed light on the subject The resolu-
tions, after some discussion, were referred to a
special committee Of three. Favorable reports
were made on the bills to amend the general
Railroad law, to define the duties of the Con-
tracing Board, to provide for payment of interest
on protested canal drafts to authorize the Canal
Board to hear and determine claims for damages
and for the protection Of the lives of railroad
employees. bill to provide kfor the recording
Of marriage certificates, and the Assembly bill to
extend auction duties with others of less general
interest, were introduced. The bill to amend
the Assessment laws was made the special order
for to-day.
The Assembly was occupied great portion Of
the day in considering bills in the Committee of
the Whole House. number were acted on,
among which the Annual Canal Appropriation bill,
the bill approprating proceeds Of State tax to
the support of schools, and that incorporating the
Society for the Protection of Destitute Children in
this city, went through the committee and were
ordered to third reading. The Annual Appro-
praton bill for the support of the State govern.
mcnt was taken up and discussed, but was not
finally disposed Of The Governors message was
again taken up. and some debate on it ensued
evening. During the proceedings, on a call of the
House, it was found that there was not quorum
present, and the absent members were declared in
contempt, and prohibited further participation in
the business Of the Assembly until excused. II is
expected that the charges against Speaker CALI
cot will be presented to the House to-day. The
Cities Committee of the House held a meeting last
evening to hear arguments on the proposed
amendments to the Metropolitan Police act. They
were addressed by one or two gentlemen in favor
Of the amendments.
NIsCELLANE0us NEWS
The United States steam transport Illinois. Cap
tain Babcock, from New Orleans via Key West
9th ut., arrived at this port last evening. She
brings no news of Importance. The United States
vessels Of war st. Lawrence Preble, Dale, X. II.
Cuyler, Tioga, Tahoma, Octorora, Genesee and
Magnolia, were at Key West when the Illinois left
that port.
The British steamer Sheldrake, Capt. Archer
from Havana Feb. Is, and Matanzas 24th, arrived
at this port yesterday morning. On the lst of
March, latitude 3s, longitude 73, she passed the
British schooner Annetta, from Matanzas for Hall
fax. We have advices by the Bio Bio, also from
Havana, but the news is of little Importance
There were strange rnmors concerning the move.
ments of the United States steamer Vanderbilt
but none Of them are very reliable.
The prize schooner Annie. Of Nassau, New Pro.
vidence, Acting Master Halock, commander, ar
rived at this port yesterday, from Wilmington,
North Carolina. The Annie was captured Oh the
25th ult., of Wilmington, while attempting to run
the blockade Of that place, by the United States
steamer State Of Georgia She has full cargo Of
salt. Her crew escaped in their boat to the
shore.
The usual weekly meeting Of the Democratic
Union Association was held ut the headquarters,
Broadway, last evening. large attendance of
members was present. Hon. John McKeon was
the orator Of the evening.
The market for beef cattle was much the same
on Monday as last week; but with unfavorable
weather and considerable augmentation Of the