Inaugural address of Frederick Holbrook As it appears in the Journal of the House of Representatives Annual Session 1862 Tuesday, October 10, 1862 Inaugural Address Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: – In the present august and momentous crisis in the affairs of our country, the strength, the wisdom, and forecast of man are wholly inadequate to save us and our institutions; and how fitting, therefore, that we seek direction from the eternal Mind, the source of all power and knowledge, imploring His counsels to enlighten, and His providence to guide us. Let us remember that while the Almighty may permit the spirit of discord suddenly to enter and scourge a whole nation with cruel war, it is He, also, who, after correcting a people, restores their wasted land, bringing peace and prosperity out of war and devastation. Viewing the condition of Vermont during the past sad year, we perceive that we have occasion for profound gratitude to Almighty God, for preserving us from the blight of war within our own territory, for the general prevalence of health, the bountiful harvests, and the prosperity of our industrial interests, for the absence of all tendencies to disorder in the popular mind, and for that prevalent spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice which has so universally characterized our people, and led them cheerfully to bear every burden which it has been necessary for them to assume, on behalf of their country and the rights of mankind. It is gratifying to realize that at each and every call of our country, in her hour of peril, thousands of the young men of our State have willingly and eagerly seized arms and have gone, or are going forth to battle for the Union, and to drive back the surges of rebellion. Their valor on every field, and in every situation in which they have been placed, rivals that of the early heroes of Vermont, justifies their noble origin, and proves that the race has not degenerated, but is now, as of old, capable of the most heroic and manly deeds, and may be relied upon in every emergency. Any language I can employ is too feeble to speak their praise; but I may say that it has been demonstrated, and is in high quarters admitted, that, for steadiness, reliability, courage and endurance, the Vermont troops are not excelled by those of any other state or country. We should gratefully remember the patriotic devotion manifested by those who, unable to bear arms and endure the hardships and fatigues of the soldier, have nobly aided and encouraged others to do so, contributing liberally of their means to provide for the brave volunteers. The lasting thanks of every patriot are due to the women of Vermont, for their devotion to country in so freely giving up their husbands, brothers and sons, for the struggle, and their sympathy and zeal in furnishing, in such variety and abundance, the articles of their handiwork, and the delicacies indispensable to the comfort of camps and hospitals, and to the alleviation of the sufferings of sick and wounded soldiers, lonely, and far from kindred and home. Thus will it ever be with Vermont to the end of the war; she will never falter nor look back, but will press forward, until, if need be, her last dollar is expended, and her last son falls, upholding in his dying grasp “the flag of our Union,” and with his latest breath ejaculating a benediction upon his country. Of the many questions of public interest which required the attention of the Legislature, none are more important, in the present crisis, than those relating to the finances of the State. I refer you, gentlemen, to the Report of the State Treasurer, for the full details of the financial transactions of the past year, and of the standing of the State Finances Generally. From this Report, I gather the material to make the following statement: The receipts for the fiscal year ending Sept. 1, 1862, have been as follows: $36, 517, 30 Balance in Treasury, Sept. 1, 1861, Received on State bonds of 1861, issued since Sept. 1, 1861, 401,00,00 538,022,44 Received on State tax, 2,887,52 Received on tax on Foreign Bank Stock, Received from sundry State and County officers, Judges of Probate, &c., 21,445,48 57,277, 94 57,203,83 104,623,41 Balances remaining in Treasury, due for allotments and credits of officers and soldiers in service, Received of J.W. Stewart, Financial agent, from the U.S. Treasury, in part payment for advances by the State in raising and $123,000,00 furnishing troops for the service, Received of Military Claims Commissioners, from U.S. Treasury, in part payment for said advances, 152,000,00 ----- 275,000,00 Credits from all other sources 110,359,03 ------------------- Making in all the sum of $1,442,509,71 The disbursements for the fiscal year ending Sept. 1, 1862, have been as follows: $273,306,81 For Military expenses incurred by my predecessor, Debentures, General Assembly and Council of Censors, 29,723,90 32,737,49 Salaries, State officers, Judges Probate, State’s Attorneys, 103,262,70 Court and Auditor’s orders, State pay of $7 per month, to soldiers in service, 446,955,29 ON ORDERS OF PRESENT EXECUTIVE, VIZ: For Recruiting, Equipment, &c., of new Regiments, and various supplies for old Regiments, such as Rubber Blankets, Tents, Medical aid, &c., State pay of $7 per month to soldiers from date of Enlistment to muster, Claims allowed by commissioner, on Claims ---- 186,874,11 25,045,87 Outstanding 16,339,38 Aid to Families of soldiers, 34,529,54 U.S. Surplus Fund, sundry Towns, 56,230,28 Payment of Interest on various Loans, 15,000,00 Payment of Loan of 1860, 1,232,50 Payment to Agricultural Societies, 3,211,44 Board of Education, 7,984,79 Special appropriations of Legislature, 8,000,00 Hiram Harlow, in State Bonds, 2,871,07 Sundry purposes, -------------------- $1,218,259,30 Making in all the sum of -------------------- $224,250,41 Balance in Treasury, The Treasurer informs me that “a large portion of this balance stands to the credit of the State, (say $175,000,00) in the forty-one Banks in the State, and the Suffolk Bank, Boston, - the remainder being cash on hand; and that a considerable portion of this balance will be drawn for by the opening of the Legislature.” The action of the Legislature of last year, in providing for the payment of the extraordinary expenses incurred for war purposes partly by direct taxation and partly by issuing State Bonds appears to have been wise in principle. It would seem desirable, to place a considerable portion of the appropriations necessary to be made for war expenses, in the form of a funded debt. The people should not now be overburdened with taxation, as, in many way, they have large sacrifices to make for the support of the Government and the defence of the Country; and our present sacrifices being even more for posterity than for ourselves, we cannot doubt that those who come after us will be able and willing to share with us the pecuniary burdens now involved. 25,091,37 $51,767,17 $186,874,14 The whole amount of military expenditures for which orders have been drawn on the State Treasurer, by the present Executive, up to Sept. 1, 1862, as stated by the Treasurer, is. Since that date, and prior to Oct. 1, 1862, orders have been drawn 5,114,00 for additional military expenses amounting to --------------- Making in all the sum of $191,988,14 This amount is composed, in general terms, of the following classes of payments: 1, State pay to soldiers of $7 per month from date of enlistment to date of muster into the United States service; also pay of Officers from date of commission to date of muster, and expenses of paying, State pay due Second Regiment, as certified by Commissioners of Claims, 2, Claims allowed by Commissioners to settle outstanding Claims. 3, Equipment, Medical aid, and stores, furnished to the various Regiments now in service, the amount expended for which has already been presented to the General Government and allowed, Equipment of 5th Regiment, presented by Commissioners, 4, Equipment of Regiments quite recently raised, and expenses of recruiting and drilling all the troops raised the past official year, the amount for which has not yet been presented to the Government for allowance, but which is supposed to be collectable, 5, And there remains a balance, perhaps mostly uncollectible, to be considered in the light of State expenses, which is included principally under the head of sundries, in the abstract 8,026,48 accompanying this Communication, of --------------- Making in all the sum of $191,988,14 An Abstract, stating the above expenditures in some detail may be found in the appendix to this Communication, to which reference is respectfully made. The advances mentioned under the fourth classification above, would ere this date have been presented in proper form, to the General Government, for adjustment and allowance, but for the many pressing official duties, growing out of the raising of troops in answer to the call of Government, which have occupied my time. It will afford me pleasure, at any time, to answer such questions as individual Senators or Representatives may desire to ask, whether in relation to matters spoken of in this Communication, or pertaining in any way to State affairs; and as it is certainly desirable that the General Assembly should fully understand how the public moneys have been expended, I shall be pleased to exhibit, to any Committee appointed for the purpose, the requisite accounts and vouchers readily and clearly to explain such expenditures. The condition of the State Finances, Sept. 1st, 1862, as appears from the report of the Treasurer, is as follows: 71,802,74 813,75 6,177,20 28,309,43 Due Banks, for contributions to the Safety Fund Due County Treasurers, tax on Non-Residents’ Stock, Balance due for U.S. Surplus Money, Balances estimated due to Soldiers for State pay of $7 per month, Loans of 1859, due Nov. 21, 1864, LIABILITIES $13,125,00 2,887,52 7,686,61 200,000,00 75,000,00 Loan of April 1861, Bonds issued payable ten years from June 1, 1860, Loan of 1861, due Oct. 1, 1862, Loan of 1861, due Dec.1, 1862, Loan of 1861, due Jan. 1, 1863, Balance in Treasury, due for allotments of soldiers, 751,000,00 20,000,00 3,000,00 35,000,00 57,277,94 RESOURCES. $725,720,00 $689,396,76 $275,000,00 $224,250,41 43,204,82 1,995,12 48,428,76 Balance in, and due the Treasury, on demand, Due on Tax payable June 1st and Oct. 15th, 1862, Due from Poultney, “ H.M. Bates. Amount of the bills of the State, against the U.S., for War Expenditures, Of which the General Government has Refunded 40 per cent, or And has offset the State tax due the U.S. in June, 1862, less 15 per cent, 179,000,00 Both sums amounting to 454,407,80 Which subtracted form the whole amount above, leaves a balance still due the State, from the United states, of 234,988,96 It will be readily seen from the above statement, that the indebtedness of the State, in excess of its resources, is funded in State Bonds, payable in ten years from June 1, 1860. The expenses of the current year cannot be accurately given; but so far as is now known, some of the more important unavoidable disbursements may be approximately estimated as follows: The three years’ troops now in service form Vermont, compose ten Regiments of Infantry, and one 11,000 men Regiment of Cavalry, which, at the maximum, would number in all about 250 “ . Two Batteries of Artillery, about 125 men each, 270 “ . Three Companies of Sharp-Shooters, about 90 men each, --------------- Making in all, 11,520 men But as considerable deduction should be made for missing men, by reason of the various casualties of the service, supposed that one quarter of the above number, or 2880 men, are deducted; we then have 8640 men, who will be entitled to receive, each, the State pay of $7 per month, which for twelve months, should they continue in service for that period, will amount to. The rank and file of the five Regiments of Militia, recently raised, amounts to about 4700 men. Deducting one-eight of this number, for the diminution which may result from casualties of the service, and we have 4113 men, who, should the Legislature so decide, will be entitled to receive each $7 per month from the State, which, for their allotted period of service, or nine months, will amount to Ordinary State expenses, about Payment of Loan of 1857, due Nov. 1, 1862, Making the approximate estimate of 259,119,00 250,000,00 100,00,00 ---------------- $1,334,839,00 It may be necessary, during the current year, to raise more troops in the State, which would, of course, increase current expenses. There may be another tax levied on the State, by the United States; but probably the balance of $234,988,96, still due from the United States, will more than offset any tax thus levied. I respectfully recommend that suitable provision be made during the present session for the expenses of the current year. About the 20th of November, 1861, recruiting agencies were established for raising the Seventh and Eighth Regiments of Infantry, and the First and Second Batteries of Artillery. These fine Regiments and Batteries went into camp early in January following, – the Seventh Regiment at Rutland, the Eighth Regiment and First Battery at Brattleboro, and the Second Battery at Lowell, Mass. The entire outfit of the Seventh Regiment, excepting arms and accoutrements, was provided by the Quartermaster General of the State. The outfit of the Eighth Regiment, and of the first and Second Batteries of Artillery, was, with a few exceptions, furnished by the General Government through the Department of New England. These Regiments together with the First Battery, left the State early in March last, for Ship Island, Miss., to serve in the Department of the Gulf. The Second Battery left Lowell, Mass., for the same destination, in February last. In the latter part of October, 1861, the third Company of Sharp Shooters, commanded by Capt. Gilbert Hart, was organized, and early in January following, was sent to Washington. Also, in the month of December, 1861, the First Regiment of Vermont Cavalry, raised and commanded by Col. Lemuel B. Platt, received marching orders, and left camp in Burlington, proceeding to Washington. During the months of February and March last, four hundred and twelve men were recruited in the State, to fill the thinned ranks of the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth regiments of Infantry. Early in April they were mustered into service, at Burlington, and, on the 21st of that month, sent to their respective Regiments, then at Yorktown, Va. In compliance with a request received by me from the Secretary of War, the following statement was forwarded to him by the Adjutant General, showing the number of three years troops furnished by the State, and in the service of the United States, on the 16th of April, 1862: 2nd Regiment Infantry, Col. Henry Whiting, 3d “ “ “ B.N. Hyde, 4th “ “ “ E.H. Stoughton, 5th “ “ “ H.A. Smalley, 6th “ “ “ N. Lord, Jr., 7th “ “ “ Geo. S. Roberts, 8th “ “ “ Stephen Thomas, Making, of Infantry, 1st Regiment of Cavalry, Col. L. B. Platt, 1st Battery of Artillery, Capt. G. W. Duncan, 2nd “ “ “ P.U. Holcomb, 1st Co. Sharp Shooters, Capt. E. Weston, Jr., 2nd “ “ “ “ H.R. Stoughton, 3rd “ “ “ “ Gilbert Hart, 156 129 – 285 92 97 “ . 105 – 294 ------------- Total, 8773 men. On the 21st of May last, the Secretary of War called on Vermont for one Regiment of Infantry, to be raised immediately, accompanied by a request to raise as many Regiments thereafter as possible, within a certain specified time. Under this call the Ninth Regiment of Infantry was raised, and was ordered into camp at Brattleboro; but before it was fully organized, and about the 1st of July last, the call was issued by the President of the United States for three hundred thousand three years troops and the call of the Secretary of War, made in May, for fifty thousand three years men, under which the raising of the Ninth Regiment commenced, was merged in the larger number required by the President. The Ninth Regiment left camp, for Washington on the 15th of July, and was the first Regiment furnished by any State under the calls, first, for fifty thousand, and second, for three hundred thousand three years troops. 1046 men. 1032 “ . 1100 “ . 1018 “ . 1004 “ . 1014 “ . 1015 “ . ------------------ 7229 men. 965 “ . “ . Early in July last, recruiting agents were appointed for raising the Tenth and Eleventh Regiments of Infantry. The State was divided into twenty districts, a principal recruiting officer appointed in each, with directions to raise a full company of men, which in nearly every district was accomplished. These two Regiments went into camp at Brattleboro, between the 10th and 16th of August. The Tenth Regiment left camp for Washington on the 6th, and the Eleventh Regiment on the 7th, of September last. Twelve hundred three years’ men, for the old Regiments, were also recruited, mostly in the month of August last, and were sent to fill companies in those Regiments more or less diminished by the casualties of the service. These men were ordered to Burlington for muster and to receive their advance pay and bounty, and each man was allowed to designate the company and Regiment in which he would prefer to serve. The men have been sent forward from Burlington to their respective Regiments, in detachments of from two to three hundred men each. The quota of Vermont, under the call for three hundred thousand three years men, was made up as follows: In the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Regiments there were about 3000 men 1200 “ . For filling old Regiments there were 3773 men Raised under call for 500,000 men, 3100 “ . Quota due under do. do. Which subtracted from the number --------------- 673 “ . Actually raised, leaves an excess to be credited of -------------- These, added to the numbers actually raised under the call 4873 “ . for 300,000 three years’ men, make On the 4th of August last, a call was issued by order of the President of the United States, for a draft of three hundred thousand Militia, accompanied by orders specifying the time, and directing the mode, of the draft. Immediately on receiving this call, an Order was issued by the State authorities of Vermont, calling out the organized companies of Militia in the State, to serve for the period of nine months in the service of the United States, directing them to fill their ranks to the legal standard, and authorizing them to receive into their ranks the quotas of adjacent towns till the companies should reach the maximum of one hundred and one men each. An Order was also issued for a new enrollment of the Militia of the State, preparatory to a draft on the 1st of September, should a draft become necessary; and this Order was accompanied by a proposition to the people of Vermont, that, if they should so elect, they might furnish the quota of the State, – forty-eight hundred and ninety-eight men, – by voluntary action, – town officers and patriotic citizens raising the quotas of their respective towns, in their own way, and adjacent towns combining their several quotas in companies of one hundred and one men each, which companies, on being tendered to the State authorities, in lieu of drafted men, would be accepted as such, provided a proper Roll accompanied the tender, giving the names and residences of the men, and binding them by a suitable contract to serve for the period of nine months, in lieu of drafted militia, receiving the pay of militia, and subject to the rules and regulations governing militia in the service of the United States. Knowing that the people of Vermont are proverbial for the prompt, thrifty, economical and efficient management of their affairs, I thought it proper to make them such a proposition, leaving them to raise the requisite number of men wholly in their own way, not doubting that the business would be accomplished with system, order and decorum. It is well known how promptly they accepted the proposition, and that fifty companies, or five Regiments, of nine months volunteers, in lieu of drafted militia, were raised in about thirty days; and that, too, after our State, with a population of about three hundred and fifteen thousand, had furnished about thirteen thousand three years troops for the war. This result is a remarkable demonstration of the unity, patriotic enthusiasm, indomitable and unconquerable spirit of a free people, when their Country is imperiled, and calls for their services in its defence; and the record of their action in this case, will be to their honor and credit so long as the page of history endures. It is true that many perplexities had to be encountered, and difficulties surmounted, growing out of the imperfect returns on which the acting both of the State authorities and the people necessarily had to be based, inasmuch as there positively was not time to make thorough corrections of either former or recent returns on which the action both of the State authorities and the people necessarily had to be based, inasmuch as there positively was not time to make thorough corrections of either former or recent returns. The report of the Adjutant and Inspector General will dwell more fully on these perplexities and difficulties. But the general result is so creditable to the State, that we may all with candor and good feeling review the ground, and be satisfied with that result, - the very difficulties experienced heightening its value and effect. About twelve thousand troops have been raised in the State, since October, 1861. The details of recruiting, organizing, subsisting, clothing, arming, equipping, paying and transporting them, have been numerous, and productive of many cares, responsibilities, perplexities and embarrassments. Considerable delay has been experienced in getting the Regiments of nine months men into camp, owing to the inability of the General Government to furnish the requisite clothing, arms, and camp equipage with dispatch, from the fact that so large a number of fresh troops had suddenly been called into service. Requisitions were early made on the Quartermaster General of the army for clothing, arms, accoutrements, and camp and garrison equipage; but in place of clothing, the materials therefor were sent forward, with the request that the Quartermaster General of the State should contract for the making of the clothing in the State, for which certain specified prices would be paid by the General Government. The tents ordered could not be supplied and therefore the General Government directed barracks to be erected, and sent an agent into the State who contracted with certain parties to build them, agreeably to specifications furnished by him. The original design of having the five Regiments remain awhile together in camp in the State, was modified by subsequent events, and the State authorities were requsted to send them forward, a Regiment at a time, at the earliest practicable moment. Accordingly, one Regiment has been forwarded, and the remaining four will be sent as expeditiously as they can be prepared for marching orders. The rank and file of the Twelfth Regiment, which is composed of companies of the “Uniformed Militia,” are, by an Act entitled “an Act providing pay for the Uniformed Militia,” approved April 26, 1861, clearly entitled to the State pay of seven dollars per month, in addition to their United States pay, while “in active service.” But as there is, perhaps, room for doubt, whether the soldiers of the other four Regiments of Militia are, or are not, entitled to seven dollars per month from the State, in addition to the United States pay, I respectfully suggest that the doubt should be immediately and clearly solved by some definite action of the Legislature. Perhaps the Act entitled “An Act providing pay for certain soldiers, and in relation to the support of families of Volunteers,” approved Nov. 20, 1861, does secure the payment of seven dollars per month to these troops; but it would be well for the Legislature to make some specific declaration in this regard. In accordance with the directions of an Act entitled “An Act to appoint Commissioners to adjust and settle certain outstanding claims for expenditures for military purposes,” approved Nov. 20, 1861, and of an Act entitled “An Act providing for the immediate settlement and allowance of claims in favor of this State against the United States,” approved Nov. 21, 1861, I appointed Hon. F.E. Woodbridge, Hon. Geo. F. Edmunds, and Col. George A. Merrill, a Board of Commissioners, with instructions to carry out the purposes contemplated by these two Acts. Early in December last, the Commissioners gave notice of times and places for the presentation and adjustment of such claims. For each claim allowed, the Commissioners gave a certificate indicating the amount thereof, and to whom payable; for which, on presentation, an order was drawn by me, on the Treasurer of the State, in favor of such claimant. The aggregate amount of the claims so allowed was $25,091,37. The Commissioners also made up the account of moneys expended by my predecessor, in raising, organizing, subsisting, clothing, arming, equipping and transporting troops for service under the United States, providing and arranging all necessary vouchers therefor, and causing such vouchers to be recorded at length in books prepared for that purpose, which were afterwards lodged in the office of the Secretary of State. The Commissioners subsequently proceeded to Washington, and presented the account and vouchers to the Department of the Treasury, for adjustment and allowance. In October, 1861, I appointed a Board of Medical Examiners for the examination of candidates for the office of Surgeons of Regiments, consisting of Samuel W. Thayer, Jr., M.D., Edward E. Phelps, M.D., and Charles L. Allen, M.D., who have attended faithfully to the duties of their appointment. Agreeably to an Act entitled “An Act in relation to Supplies of Volunteers,” approved Nov. 21, 1861, directing the Governor, under certain conditions, to supply the volunteers from this State, in the service of the United States, from time to time, as their circumstances require, with clothing, tents, camp equipage, arms, equipments, provisions, medicines, and all articles required in the medical department,” I authorized the Quartermaster General to furnish rubber blankets, whenever needed by our troops, new tents for the Third Regiment, which were much needed, and medicines and medical stores for the Vermont Brigade, which was suffering from sickness in camp near the Potomac. A statement of the expenses of these supplies appears in the appendix to this communication. I also appointed Edward E. Phelps, M.D., State Medical Commissioner to visit the Vermont Brigade, during the late autumn and early winter, when so much sickness prevailed therein, and advise with the Regimental Surgeons as to the treatment of the prevailing maladies, and report to me what further should be done to alleviate the suffering, and promote the health, of the troops. At his suggestion, medical supplies were purchased and forwarded by the Quartermaster General, and three additional assistant Surgeons were sent to the Brigade, for three months’ service, to aid the over tasked Regimental Surgeons. Dr. Phelps was subsequently appointed, by the War Department, Surgeon of the Vermont Brigade. It is believed that much benefit resulted to our troops from these provisions for their relief. The expenses incurred will be presented to the General Government for payment. In October last, agreeably to a Joint Resolution of the Legislature, I appointed Hon. Joseph Poland Special Agent, to visit the camps of the Vermont Regiments on the Potomac, to receive such portions of the wages of the troops, recently paid them by Government, as they might desire to transmit to their families in Vermont. The expenses of this agency appear in the financial statements appended to this Communication. The duties of the agency were faithfully performed. Afterwards, and in compliance with the purposes contemplated in Section 3, of the Act entitled “An Act for the aid of the Vermont Volunteers in transmitting portions of their pay to their families and assignees,” approved Nov. 20, 1861, I appointed Messrs. John B. Page and John Howe, Jr., Commissioners to visit the camps of the Vermont troops and explain the allotment system to them, and induce them to allot a portion of their pay to their families or agents in Vermont. Soon after the arrival of these Commissioners in camp, the President of the United State, by a then recent provision of Congress, appointed them, together with Hon. Joseph Poland, Commissioners, to perform the duties contemplated in the previous appointment by me. But as Messrs. Page and Howe had incurred expenses under their appointment by me, I deemed it just and proper to refund to them their expenses. In December last, Col. Frank E. Howe, of the City of New York, was appointed and commissioned Military agent of Vermont in that City. He has well performed the duties of his agency. His services have been literally indispensable to the State, in many ways. On accepting his commission from the State, he prescribed that his services were to be gratuitously rendered; but so many calls have been made upon him, especially in ministering to our sick and wounded men, and in furnishing from time to time a complete record of the names, residences, condition, &c., of our soldiers in the New York Hospitals, that I respectfully recommend that he be liberally rewarded by the State. Finding that many of our sick and wounded soldiers were being sent by Government to the Hospitals in and near Philadelphia, I recently appointed Mr. Robert R. Corson, of that City, Military agent of Vermont, to exercise a friendly care for such Vermont soldiers as might be there placed. Mr. Corson is a kind-hearted, philanthropic gentleman, who delights in thus contributing to the necessities of the great cause of the Country, and does not claim anything like a compensation for his labors, being content with the bare reimbursement of actual expenses incurred. Almost immediately upon assuming the Executive office, I perceived that it would be impossible for me to discharge the duties in detail imposing upon the Governor by an Act entitled “An Act to provide for the families of citizens of Vermont mustered into the service of the United States,” approved April 26, 1861. I accordingly appointed Mr. John Howe, Jr., of Brandon, agent to perform the services required by that law, his acts to be subject to direction and approval by me. I believe Mr. Howe has discharged the duties of his appointment admirably, reducing the business of that agency to a just and wise system. I have the pleasure of calling your attention to his lucid and valuable Report, herewith transmitted. Some further legislation to perfect the objects contemplated by the act referred to, seems to be quite desirable, and is indicated in Mr. Howe’s Report. I respectfully ask your attention to the subject. During the past year, the demands upon the Adjutant and Inspector General and the Quartermaster General have been such as to require the devotion of nearly their entire time to the service of the State. It is certainly my duty, as it is my pleasure, to bear testimony to the ability and faithfulness with which they have performed the responsible and arduous duties of their respective offices. As the salaries allowed by statute to these officers, based on their ordinary duties in times of peace, afford no adequate compensation for the extraordinary labors now demanded of them, I respectfully suggest that they be compensated for the services they have rendered. Full and clear Reports by these officers, of the transactions in their respective departments during the past official year, would have been ready for transmission to the Legislature at the opening of the present session, but for the very onerous duties which have recently engaged, and do still demand, their whole attention. Their Reports, however, will soon be laid before you. It is proper for me to say that the State is indebted to the Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs for faithful and indefatigable attention to the important duties of his office. He has devoted his time to those duties, and should be suitably compensated therefor. I may remark further, that I am under many obligations to the gentlemen of my staff, for their assistance in the transaction of the business of the Executive Department. Agreeably to an Act entitled “An Act for the better protection of the Treasury,” I appointed Hon. John W. Stewart, of Middlebury, Inspector of Finance; but owing to other engagements he felt compelled to decline the appointment, and Charles W. Bradbury, Esq., of Vergennes, was appointed to that office and has attended to its duties. At the session of the General assembly in 1860, the Hon. Milo L. Bennett, the Hon. Pierpoint Isham and the Hon. Andrew Tracy were appointed a Board of Commisssioners to “revise, re-draft, compile, consolidate and arrange the public statutes of this State, on the basis, plan, and general form and method of the revised statutes, with authority to omit redundant enactments, reject superfluous words, circuitous and ambiguous phraseology, recommend amendments, and to condense the whole into as concise and comprehensive form as is consistent with a full and clear expression of the Legislature, and report the same to the General Assembly”; and the act of 1860 was so far amended by the act of 1861 as to require the Report of the Commissioners to be made to the Governor. Accordingly the Chairman of the Board has transmitted to me a copy of the revision, prepared and printed for the use of the General Assembly, accompanied with a written Report explanatory of the course pursued in making the revision, which will be submitted to you at an early day. Under the Act of Congress of May 23, 1850, this State was entitled to two Members in the House of Representatives of the Thirty-Eighth Congress. On the 26th of March last I received a communication from the Department of the Interior informing me that “a Law was enacted on the 4th of March, 1862, increasing the number of Representatives for certain States, including the State of Vermont, whereby that State is entitled to three Representatives in the Thirty-Eighth and subsequent Congresses.” Our recent experience in endeavoring to raise troops under the present militia laws of this State, proves beyond a doubt the immediate need of some important changes in those laws. Perhaps that complete and well-proportioned militia system which shall embody the permanent policy of the State, will be the work of a future time, when we can avail ourselves of the experience and suggestions of many able officers now in active service. But at least the present laws should be so far amended as to secure a perfect enrollment of all able-bodied men, liable to do military duty, and a thorough and impartial medical inspection of all enrolled men. And to this end competent Medical Boards should be established in each county, – no Board, however, performing its functions in the county in which it is raised, but in some other county, remote enough to ensure an impartial inspection. My time has been so constantly occupied with the numerous details of business involved in the military operations of the State, that I have not been able to give that attention to our public institutions and benevolent and educational enterprises, which it would have been my pleasure to bestow. The practical workings of our educational system have been somewhat observed, and I am induced to think that no important changes are needed, or would, at the present time, conduce to the interests of education in Vermont. I have a high appreciation of the value of the services of the Secretary of the Board of Education, and believe that if the operations of the Board, as conducted by him, are allowed to proceed, they will soon ripen into a permanent, well-proportioned system, finely adapted to our customs as a people, and our peculiar circumstances and wants. The Asylum for the Insane continues in its hitherto prosperous condition, dispensing healing balm to many a troubled mind or affording a quiet, well-ordered retreat to minds permanently disordered. The Reports of the Trustees and Superintendent indicate the condition and progress of the Institution. The State Prison has been well managed. It is the good fortune of the State to have in the Superintendent of the Prison, a gentleman of acknowledged humanity, of much practical sagacity and sound judgment, and of decided character. The bearing and influence of such a person are always beneficial and especially salutary in the position occupied by the Superintendent of the Prison. The Bank Commissioner appointed at the last session of the Legislature having resigned his office, I appointed Mr. Jerre E. Dickerman his successor, whose report upon the condition of the Banks of the State will be before you. It appears from that report that these institutions have been well conducted during the past fiscal year. It will not escape your attention that among the duties that devolve upon the Legislature at the present Session, is that of electing a person to represent this State in the Senate of the United States, for the term of six years from the 4th of March next, on which day the existing term of the Hon. Solomon Foot will expire. It is an occasion for renewed congratulation that the people of Vermont have again shown their devotion to the cause of the Union by laying aside almost unanimously, all considerations of a partisan character, and uniting in earnest support of the National Government which is charged with the high duty of defending and maintaining that sacred cause. The position of Vermont in this great life-struggle of the Nation can neither be questioned nor misunderstood. The blood of her sons has reddened many battle-fields, and their valor and endurance have vindicated her historical renown. Her people admit no thought of concession to, or compromise with, the causeless and wicked rebellion now striking at the vitals of the nation, and their determination is fixed to endure and fight, and sacrifice, till the government established by the wisdom, the patriotism, and the blood of our fathers is restored in its beneficent and rightful sway over every portion of our Union. The struggle in which the Nation is engaged, is clearly one of life or death. Even though the scenes of blood and the night of calamity through which we may be called to pass, shall shake the land to its foundation and try us to the utmost, yet, trusting in the God of our fathers, we will not doubt that life is to be the result, and that the nation is to be purified by its trials and established and exalted even beyond the expectations of its founders. Our fathers found a great evil, which they deplored, but could not separate from the good. Current events are tending to produce that separation, by uprooting the evil. The rebellion, if persisted in may be the means, under Providence, of annihilating the institution of slavery, which all acknowledge to have been its cause. The territory of the United States must be preserved in its integrity. Neither foreign power nor domestic insurrection can be allowed to establish a rival Government within any portion of that territory, and therefore, all necessary means justified by the ultimate law of self-preservation and compatible with Christian civilization, must be applied to the permanent suppression of the present rebellion. The recent Proclamation of Emancipation by the President of the United States is a logical result of the slaveholders’ rebellion, and as such it is accepted, and will be sustained by all loyal men. It is a “military necessity,” and has the recommendation to our people, of according with both justice and humanity. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: Grave and weighty responsibilities rest upon us in this great crisis. Let us show ourselves equal to our duties. Whatever we have to do, let us do it with one heart and one mind. However humble, we are a part of the American Union, and have a vital interest in its preservation. It is a Union consecrated to Freedom, and it falls to our lot and that of our generation to prove the ability of freemen to defend and preserve their birthright. Our institutions are passing through a baptism of blood. They must and will be maintained, at whatever sacrifice; and in the momentous issue which is upon us, neither temporary reverses will discourage, nor partial successes unduly elate us. Relying upon the incontrovertible justice of our cause, the bravery, patriotism and intelligence of the soldiers of the Union, the unconquerable determination, and the spirit of American liberty actuating the loyal people of the country, we may confidently look forward to, and patiently await, the time when our beloved Republic, under the providence of God, shall be re-established in unity and power, and afford a triumphant vindication of the capacity of a free people to govern themselves. FREDERICK HOLBROOK. EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Montpelier, Oct. 10, 1862.