Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-12-13

10 believe, that the commissioners arc nov en- /
gagged VA the performance OF the duties required
Of them by the lASs Of the two states. A copy
OF the letter written under the direction OF The
Governor OF Pennsylvania, marked A. j. iog
warded herewith.
Upon my FIST entering into Office, received
sword which had been voted b. resolution af
the General Assembly, ia he year 1916. to
Captain Robert Henley, ~ honor Of his gallant
military exploit, during The laa, wari aud some
time Afterwards, received two ether swords,
voted IN ike manner to the nearest male rela
tiyes OF the lameLted Captain John Riehic, aud
Major AndseS Hunter Holmes. both Ct whom
gallantly tell IN battle IA defence of ther eoun
try's rights. These swords were executed by
Mr.. Harvey Lewis, under the difeetioa uf Gen.
Cadwsllader OF Philadelphia, ~ style Of .sapt
rior taste and elegance. highly honorable 10 the
artist, and viii do honor 70 the patriotic objects
of the General Assembly. Gen. Cadsallader
has received my thanks IN behalf OF chs con.
monwealih. Tor his polite attention on tbs
occasion. Being OF opinion that Il would more
comport with the view OF he General Assem-.
bly,, that these swords should be presented 20
the psrson authorized 10 receive them, in pub.
iic than in private, after having gwen public
notice TO that elect, presented two Of them
publicly, in p.4son, ~ the Chamber Of the
House OF Delegates on the 4th Of July last, 10
the gentlemen authorized 10 receive them
The one TO Thomas Richie, Esq. in behalf OF
his brother, Col. Arch,bad Ritchie, the nearest
male relative OF Capt. John Rhche--the other
to Philip N. Nicholas, Esq. in behalf OF Govern
or holmes of Mississ'ppl, the nearest male
relative OF Major Andrew Hunter Holmes. Co
PIES of my address TO those gentlemen WITH
their replies respectively on this interesting
occasion, marked u. will accompany this com
muncation. No person appearing 10 receive
the one IN behalf OF Capt. Henley, Il has beea
retained.
After ssceriainIng that the Arsenal at i.exing.
ton could receive IL, 900 stands OF arms ander
the advice Of the Executive Council. l caused
tobe executed that provision OF the act Of the
9Th OF March, 1897, which requires the Exc.
cutive to Cause to he removed from the Amor,
here, to the Arsenal at Lexington, as many
rifles and muske,s Ms could be received there.
IL having been previously sscsrtained, that the
proportion Of rifles TO muskets in tue Armory
WIS very small, 1000 rifles and 5000 muskets
vas forwarded 10 the Arsenal at Lexington.
In compliance with the provision OF The 9th
section OF the said act. the gun carriages then
IN the Armory have been inspected, and the
wheels aud other parts have been selected.
which were thought worthy Of preservation,
and are again secured in the Armory. Amonglt
the wheels are eighty, which are thought TO be
unit tor the use OF cannon, but might be fl tor
other uses; and IN their present condition are
thought to be OF more value, than the parts
" ould be upon separation; these remains .or
the future disposition OF the Legislature. In
executing the remaining part OF this section OF
that act, which requires the Executive to cause
to be procured by the Superintendent of the
Penitentiary, suitable timber, in a sufficient
quantity for mounting fifty pieces OF artillery,
shn .Ixsr of sha q
caused the United States Colonel of Ordnance,
Col. Bomford, to be Consulted respecting the
descriptions oftlmber best suited to effect tbs
object Of the Legislature; who promptly o.
politely furnished the necessary information ia
hstrespect.
The season being, however, too far advanced
after the receipt of his information, 10 get tim.
Der for such uses, the procuring It has been
delayed, until some shor, time since; when the
Superintendent OF the Penitentiafy proceeded
to the performance of that duty. bot found that
he had no convenient place for the safety and
preservation of the timber, when procured--
and sug ;ested to the Executive Council the
proprety of erecting temporary building for
ITS protection near the Penitentlary. The
Council, not having any authority TO erect bull
dIngs, advised that the timber should be depo.
sIted in the vacant apartments of the Armory,
until the subject could be brought before the
Legislature. now recommend Il 10 the atten
ton of the General Assembly. and would re.
mark, that a building near the Penitentiary,
for the preservation OF timber to be used there,
would have the expense OF one removal from
any other place of deposit.
The duties required of the Executive in the |
5th section OF the said act, in relation 20 Causing
the exterior surface OF the Armcry building 10
be repaired, and the wooded parts repaiated,
have been duly performed.
The 9th section of the Ac, requires the Exc
cutive, sat as early period as convenient. IN
pursuance of the &C. of the 9th March, 1896,
to purchase site tor the erection OF one add
tonsl Arsenal, and to contract for the erection
OF suitable buildings for the same" After
frequent consultations, and much consideration, |
the Executive Counci finally liked on Warren. |
ton. IN fsuquire county, as the most eligible |
site for the purposes OF an additional Arsenal, /
and have appointed Captain John MaCrae the |
agent on tile part OF the state to make the pur- |
chase OF the land, necessary tor all its objects,
but material difficulties have risen IN The exeeu-
ton of this duty IN consequence OF some uncer |
tainties in the title ofshe land selected as sites
for the erec ion OF the necessary buildings for /
the Arsenal. Efforts are now making to clear |
the title to the land, when the objects of ths |
Legislature will promptly be carried into effect.
When first entered into the discharge Of
the duties of this Office. determined that the |
militia should be kept in a complete state of OF.
ganization so far as depended upon any powers |
confded to me; but found that in some cases,
elections were contested, and that no informa |
ton thereof was forwarded TO me, until the |
commissions were actually issued. 10 remedy |
this inconvenience issued AN order to the Adj |
ju,ant General. requiring hlm to cause the
whole body ofthe Militia Officers to be notihed
of m = atsnt.on and that in the event of con 4