Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-08

The report Of the .Adjutant General will
furnish full information in regard to the
military strength Of the State; the number and
condition Of the various volunteer corps; the
extent Of our armament, and the effective force
that could be brought into the field III an emcr
gency. 1t contains valuable suggestions and
recommendations, the result Of his long cXpc
ricncc and observation, which | commend tc
your adoption. His time and attention have
been devoted TO the military matters of the
State for years. lie thoroughly understands
her wants in MI that relates. to her defence und
protection, and is ready and willing. although
advanced in years. to respond to her call and
sacrifice his life, il needs be, in defence of her
rights and honor. The views Of such IL public
officer are entitled to great consideration.
1t is necessary that the Adjutant-General
shall have n permanent clerk. My daily inter.
course with tho Office and observation Of its
numerous and pressing duties. have satisfied
me on this point. This officer has exhibited an
untirins energy and industry that | have never
seen surpassed, and has justly entitled himself
to the thanks and the confidence Of the peo-
pie. Under the act Of 1883 important and
highly responsible duties were cast upon him,
and although he was receiving Il nominal
compensation only. he devoted himself nen.
tally and physically TO their performance
until the end had in view WAS accomplished.
For these services he ought yet 10 tic com
pcnSate,l.
Under Your act Of the ODD Of January last,
appointing commissioners to audit and pay the
expenses incurred by the Executive for the
purchase Of arms and munitions. and for the
delrncc Of the Commonwealth, you imposed
upon the Secretary Of State, the Auditor OF
Public Accounts and Tic AGjutant General a
most orerous and responsible duty, in the dis
charge Of which they were employed laLorious-
~ for weeks. For the performance Of this duty
they have received 40 compensation; and as II
did not legitimately belong 10 either Of these
fair and just remuneration to each.
We should have had an efficient military
staff, embracing. in addition to the Adjutant
general, AL Inspector general, 4 quarterImaSter 5
department, 4 commlS>ary department, an ell
gineer department, HI ordnance department, a
pay department and 4 medical department. All
these are necessary 10 insure eli 'irncy |" the
service; and | respectfully urge yea to give the
matter your consideration.
TUE PUBLIC GUARD
Since Your ad~ journment, Lieut.. \. e. Laync,
an able, accomplished and popular officer, has
departed this life. The vacancy has been sup.
piled by the appointment Of llcbcr ker, 0!
northampton county, 4 distinguished graduate
Of The Virginia Military Institute. The corps
is in excellent condition, in drill aud discipline,
and under the operation Of the law of the last
session, has been greatly improved in nuilbers
and material. Tie officers are well qualified
for their positions, aud their duties have been
discharged with ability, industry and faithful.
ness.
accompany this communication with 4 me.
mortal irom tie officers, the prayer Of which
appears to ne 50 reasonable, that | earnestly
invite for i your sanction, and hope you
will adopt the necessary legislation TO give it
effect.
THE ARNORY.
In pursuance Of the provisions Of the first
section Of the act passed January 22ist. 1860,
authorizing me 10 appoint a commission TO ar
range and propose u plan for relitting tie ar-
mory, by the introduction vi suitable machine
~ aud otherwise, lappoin!ed Col. +. II. Smith,
Col. p. St. &. Cooke aud Captain G.. W.. Ran
dolph TO constitute the commission. They arc
all gentlemen OF fine intelligence, and ex-
p~cricncc in military matters. The first named
TWO are graduates Of the West Point military
academy, and the last Ealned was for years
connected with the navy. These gentlemen
Immediately entered upon the discharge Of
their important duties, and have prosecuted
;hcn with L fidelity and zeal deserving Of the
highest communication.
| transmit herewith, several reports made 10
me from time to time by the commission,
which furnish u true history Of their acts, and
solicit .or item Your careful consideration
They are ali drawn with signal ability, and
are r~cI,lete with valuable information which
cannot fail 10 prove instructive and interesting
10 e"e:v citizen If Virginia. No commission
has ever rXcrtcd itself mCre zea?ouS'y and per-
Sevcrimgiy III the discharge OF its duties; and
under all ;ne circumstances, none has, | think,
ever been more successful. The ,nisrcpreScn-
,atioEs AID !alSc:onGs which have been So
induStr;ously circulated in regard to the arms
they nave procured, and TO their acts and the
acts OF the Executive, will he most satisfactory.
Is rcfutcd bv the general dissemination OF
these reports.
invite your attention particularly to the re-
port Of the .th day Of December last. Sug
g~cstions and recommendations are therein pre-.
>en,ed tia, demand legislative action. /; is
proposed that certain portions Of the public
property be sold, and that on! Of the proceeds
Of sale a lund be raised, to be expended in
constructing 4 depot for the arms and barracks
for the Public Guard. | cordially approve
this Recommendation, and trust it will receive
YOUR appreciation. 1t is necessary that some.
thing shall be done at this session Of the Gene
raj Assembly in regard to the recommends
tons contained in this report.
Fra,n the report Of the 18th Of August last,
Won will learn that 4 contract has been entered
into bv the commission with j. X. Anderson u
Co, foT preparing the ar,nory for the manulac.
ture ard repair OF arms. The work is now 90.
ing forward with energy ard success, and | am
persuaded that the contractors will redeem
their obligation creditably TO themselves and
satisfactorily to the State.
The reports Of Maj. r. E.. Colston of the
Virginia Military Institute, one of our NEST
intelligent and accomplished young officers, are
well deserving Of your attention. Maj. Colston
was appointed by the chairman Of the COIN
and charged with the duty of making
IA series Of experiments with small arms OF
various kinds, with a view to ascertain their rela-
tive merits" His reports disclose the results OF
those experiments, with intelligent and instruc-
observations on the value Of the different
arms presented for trial. With these reports
before me. | have not deemed it prudent to pur.
chase ";he patent rights Of any newly invented
The tests made were by no means sa-
,isfactory to my mind, and I therefore deter
mined TO await for experiments Of a more de-
character.
CLAIM AGAINST SELDES, wlTEEEs ( co.
All the information have in regard to this
claim, is derived from the report Of the sttor.
ncy general. This faithful and able public OIL
has done his duty, but | am sorry to say
The prospect for realizing the amount due to
the State is not very ilattcr:ng. His recon-
ncndations ought to be adopted.
CoMMuHIcArIoHs from STATE EXECUTIVES.
communicate herewith, i letter from the
executive Of Texas, enclosing resolutions adopt
I'd by the legislature Of that State, and approx
ed February 9TH. 1858. The resolutions relate
10 a convention of all tie Southern States
rhcy urc deserving Of and doubtless will re-