Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-10-19
In accordance with "an act for regulating


In accordance with ian act for regulating
and governing the militia Of this state"
appointed Mai. General Francis T.. Phelps
of Windsor. Brig. Gen. Green Blackmer
of Bennington and Brig. Gen. Truman B.
Ransom Of Norwich, board of officers 10
organize the militia, and perform various
other services connected Herewith. Much
time was consumed in procuring the pre-
liminary information to enable the commit
tee TO commence their labors. A further
delay was unavoidably occasoned by the
resignation OF Brgadier General Ransom
in May last, whose place at the board was
Immediately supplied by the appointment OF
Briradier General e. q. Chase Of Lyndon,
who was prevented entering on the busl-
ness of his appointment until jun.
partial report of their dologs was made
in the early part of May, but i, was deemed
important by the board, in order TO COM
plete the business Of their appointment IN
satisfactory manner, that they should
meet the officers Of each regiment. TO
arrange and settle the details of their
organization. before making foil nport.
That service was performed in Jun and
July. Their final report has just been
received. The duties Of the board have
been more laborious than was anticipated.
By the force Of circumstances, entirely
without my control and from which can
not perceive how blame can justly attach
TO any one, the completion Of the organl.
cation has been delayed far beyond the
time limited by the law. Under al the
circumstances it is probable lhat the bust
ness could not have been satisfactorily
brought to a close at much earlier date,
certainly not within the period fixed in the
law. Should ! omit TO mention, in terms
of appreciation, the able and efficient man.
ner in which the members of the board
have performed the various duties assigned
them, and the assistance and information
which has been promptly rendered by the
officers OF every grade whom | have had
occasion 10 call upon or consult, should
be wanting in respect to ny own feelings
So far as have learned, the law OF the
last session, with some small amendments
will be very accept able to the individuals
composing the militia. This feeling ID the
more TO be priced as it affords an evidence
Of the prevalence Of the opinion, that
we'll regulated and efficient militia is the
surest safeguard 10 our republican insitu'
tons.
! feel bound to call The attention OF the
General Assembly to the condition OF the
several companies of cavalry which were
dIsbanded by the operation Of the presen
law. Upon the faith Of the late law
troops OF cavalry were organized in differ
ent paris of the State, the members o
which, with laudable and praise. worthy
spirit, uniformed and equipped Themselves
at greater expense than any other corps
The present law not only renders thei
uniform and equipments valueless, bu
requires the enrolment of the non. commits
stoned officers and privates, in the standing
, . companies Theirs is case of pccula
hardship and pecunnry loss, and in m.
opinion, calls loudly for the in,erposilion 0
the General Assembly, either to provide
: That they may retain their former organl
: cation. with liberty to recruit from TIT
standing companies, or that they be exon
Grated from further service in the militia
By the same oct it was made my duty Il
solicit from the proper authorizes OF tn
Government of the United States, tn
= transmission of rifles, in lieu OF muskets
for the balance Of arms due this state unde
he act Of 1903. In March last uddresse
: the head of the ordnance Office on The sub
', lect, and. on the 10Th inst. received inFOr
U nation hat 682 rifles had arrived at tn
ChampIain Arsenal, subject to my orde'
u Measures will be taken 10 have them in
}, spec,cd and received without delay.
u 1t was also made my duty TO cause th
state arms in The Arsenal TO be put i
e complete repair. Quarter Master Genert
Rich, to whom this service was assignee
' on making arrangements 10 commenc
D operations. found it difficult 10 procure
i shop in which to prosecute the worl
y Upon request made to the Secretary {
War. for the use of the United State's sho
u attached 10 the Arsenal, it was grantee
s Owing to the size of the building, tn
q number of hands employed has been limited
: and. consequently, the business will not b
;. completed The Epresent season, 1t wa
u thought that the business could be NOR
IS economically performed by employing hant
= by the day, than by contrac, as here,ofor
u prac,ised. The resul, jus,,fies the propr
II ETY. OF the course, as the arms are put
9 e better condition than they have ever beioI
u been, and at less expense.
= The result of the attempt TO collect tf
=, arms, distributed among the several lowr
}, under the act of 1879, has shown lamen
u able inattenion TO this species Of publ
. property, on the part Of the selec,men
j. many towns. There appears TO be tot
o loss TO the state of more than two-ffths
l. the whole number. Those in the easter
J. part of the state were ordered to be co
J. lected and repaired at Windsor, under Ii
e1 superintendent of Gen. Phelps, and lhos
Al in the western, at Vergennes, under III
care of Gen. Rich. The reports of ihei
y gentlemen are intended to be submitted ,
,, the General Assembly at the present SCI
~ sion.