Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-29


company of Capt. George R. Riddle, in the city
OF Wilmington, and one of similar description
from the company of Capt. Thomas NJ Ogle,
in the town Of New Castle Some thirty or
forty rifles also were taken from Capt. Riddles
company, some sixty rifles from Capt. Thomas
Il. Bayard's company, and about thirty rifles
from Captain Ogle's company all these arms
had been supplied to these companies in ac
cordance with the provisions of the act Of As
sembly. For what reason these arms were
taken, | am not officially informed. | call
your attention to the subject in order that you
may relieve the commissary, who had charge
of the arms and aceoutrements in the arsenal,
and the several officers of the volunteer com
panies to which | have referred, from their
respective obligations. You will perceive by
referring TO title third, chapter fifteen of the
Revised Code, that it is made the duty of the
eommissaries of the respective counties to
keep all the military stores of the county and
keep all the public arms in the arsenal in per-
feet order for duty, and not give them out eI-
cept TO the order of the Adjutant- General,
unless he is directed by the Governor, Major
General, or the Brigadier- General of his coun-
ty. For the faithful performance of these
duties every commissary is required, before he
enters upon the duties of his Office, to give
bond to the State in the sum of one thousand
dollars, with approved security.
You will also find, by the same reference,
that it is provided that volunteer companies of
artillery infantry, grenadiers, riilemen, and
troops of cavalry or dragons, may be formed,
and that they shall, as nearly as practicable,
be ofiicered, armed and equipped, and disci-
plined according to the army regulations of
the United States; that such companies may
elect their officers, who shall be commissioned
by the Governor, and when any company is so
formed and its officers thus commissioned, it
shall be supplied with arms and accoutrements,
and II is only in case such company or troop
so raised, shall not in one year from the ap.
pointment of its officers contain at least twenty
privates, or shall be reduced under that num-
ber, and so remain for six months, that such
corps shall be deemed to be disbanded and no
longer entitled to the arms and accoutrements
and the same are then required to be returned
and the Governor, in such case, may order
them to be delivered to the commissary, or of
icer having charge of the arms for the county
in which such corps belongs, the law express
~ declaring that under no other circumstances
shall the arms thus furnished any company or
troop be demanded fom them. II is very evident
therefore, that the Executive has no authority
conferred upon him, either by the act OF Com
gress or by the Legislature of the State to make
the arms and accoutrements, ordnance and ord
nance stores in this State subject to his order
The officers of such companies or troops, when
supplied with arms, are also required to give
bond with security for their safe return in pro-
per order and condition. Some of these of
icers, together with .he commissary, have ap-
piled TO me to cancel their obligations or
otherwise relieve them from their liability, and
no authority being vested in me to do so,
feel it my duty to invite your attention to the
subject the Legislature alone having full pow
er and authority to relieve them.
! herewith transmit to you copies of the
several communications referred to, together
with copy of my answer to the War Depart
ment.
And now, gentleman, having thus imper-
iectly performed my duty by communicating
to you such information as possess, aad by
submitting to your consideration the several
special matters to which have thought pro-
per to call your attention, trusting that you
will confine your action to subjects of a spe-
cial character alone, and not, at this time, en-
ter into general legislation allow me to invoke
for YOU the favor OF the All-wise and Overrul-
ing Providence, upon whose will the destinies
of all men and nations depend, that, in all
your consultations and deliberations, your
hearts and minds may be so guided and gov
erned as ito lead you to proper conclusions and
the happiest results.
DOVER, November 25th, 1861.
Copy Of Letter from Brigaaier- General Ripley 10
the Governor.
ORDNANCE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Oct 10th, 1861.
Cor. burton, Milford, DelGware:
SIR: Please deliver to Brigadier-G General
Lockwood the arms and equipments, ordnance
and ordnance stores, belonging to the General
Government, now in the State of Delaware, in
accordance with instructions sent to me, to-day,
from the Secretary Of War, as follows, viz i;
- Brgr-Gen Ripley Please issue an order to
" the Governor of the State of Delaware to turn
" over to Brig'r-General Lockwood the ordnance
and ordnance stores, arms and equipments,
81 belonging to the General Government, now in
" the state OF Delaware"
Respectfully,
Y'r ob't serv't
JAS. W. RIPLEY,
Br.-Genl