The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-05

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.
The fertilization bill reported from the Com
mittee on Ways and Means to-day, appropri-
ates over $5,000,000 including the following
sums For Fort Schuyler, $25Oo0; Willett's
Point, $l50,000; another fort in New York
harbor, 100000; battery near Fort Hamil-
ton, $4,000; Fort Richmond, $4,000; Fort
Tompkins, $l50,000; battery at Staten Island,
$4,000; fort at Sandy Hook, Sl25,000; Fort
Mifllin, $4,000; and Forts Winthrop and
Warren, $4,000.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Kasson to-day
authorizes the Secretary of War, through
proper officers Of the army in the several mil
itary departments of cottoh growing States,
to issue certificates of Indebtedness, to be paid
after the close of the war, and upon the per-
manent restoration of the authority of the
United States over the State of which the
party receiving the certificate is at the time a
citizen, to be delivered to any person the pos
SCISSOR of cotton in bales, who shall bring the
same, or cause the same to be brought to any
military post or position occupied or held by
our troops, the amount of such certified in.
debtedness not to exceed one half of the esti-
mated value of such cotton at the seaports of
the United States open to foreign trade The
Secretary of War is authorized to provide by
proper regulations that no person shall be
permitted to purchase in such districts any
cotton which is not at the time of such pur-
chase In possession of persons residing within
the military lines, and removable without mil
itary protection. This bill has been referred
to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The House bill to increase the internal rev.
cnue, as it passed the Senate to-day, provides
that after its passage in lieu of the duty pro-
vided for in the act of July LIST, 1862, and in
addition to duties payable for licenses, there
shall be paid on all spirits that may be dis
titled or sold, or distilled and removed for
consumption or sale previous to July LIST,
1864, of first proof, duty of 60 cents per
gallon; and upon all liquors that may be dis
titled after the passage of the act, and sold or
removed for consumption and sale on and
after the LIST Of July next, 70 cents per gal
Ion; and on all liquors that may be distilled
after the passage Of this act, and sold or re-
moved for consumption or sale on and after
the LIST of January next, so cents per gallon
in addition to the duty heretofore imposed by
law. There is to be paid on spirits distilled
from grain or other materials, whether Of
American or foreign production, imported
from foreign countries previous to the LIST of
July next, Of first proof, a duty of 40 cents
per gallon, and on all such spirits imported
from foreign counties on and after the LIST of
January next duty Of 80 cents, and on all
such spirits imported from foreign countries
on and after the LIST of January next duty
of 80 cents per gallon. The Senate struck
out the House provision taxing spirits on
hand for sale, and also the clause proposing
an addition Of 20 cents per gallon on adulter-
ated spirits sold as brandy. wine, &c. The
Senate also rejected the proviso increasing the
duty on cotton to cents.
Greatly exaggerated reports have been pub
lished as to the number of rebel deserters re-
ceiyed by the army of the Potomac. They
averaged last month from five to twelve per
day, but the arrivals have been more frequent
thus far in the present month. not, however,
at any time exceeding the latter estimate.
A letter received tonight says Last Mon
day was the time appointed for the rebel con-
scripts of Virginia to assemble at the various
rendezvous. Refugees say that large num-
Der declined doing SO, and many will probably
reach our lines.
A large lot Of suffers goods were sold at
auction at Brandy Station yesterday by Capt.
Clinton, of Gen. Patrick's staff. Notwith-
standing an apparent combination of suffers
to get them at nominal rates, they netted the
average Washington rates. The liquors, COM
posing part of the seizures, were turned over
to the medical department, and the proceeds
of the sale, about $500, placed in Gen. Pat
rick's hands to be placed to the re lief OF our
sick and wounded.
Gen. Birney's ball on Tuesday night afford
ed much pleasure to large company.
Within the last twenty-four hours we have
passed through every grade of the seasons,
from summers heat with thunder and light
ming to cold, producing ice an inch thick. A
cold south wind is blowing this morning, but
the weather is clear and bracing.
There is nothing new from the front.