The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-01

lar dlSoursed by the treasu-
rer, oS9o0, 30
And the amount diSbursed on
Governors warrants in aid of
soldiers families, l,S66, Is
S419,0j3,33
There are other liabilities outstanding. in
Cured for military purposes. the amount OF
which Cannot now be definitely stated.
In attempting to make an approximate eS-
innate OF the military expenses of the cur
rent year, | remark that each soldier of Yer
mont, in the service of the United States, bv
authority OF the state is to receive from this
state the sum of 500 per month, or SSI.00
annually. The amount to be paid them IL
the current year will be about as follows:
Five regiments of infantry. viz:
ID, Sd, 4th. 9TH and 9th regi
ments, supposed TO average
about 1000 men each, lt
$500 each, the year, S420.000.0o
The cavalry regiment recruited
by Col Platt, under a COM
mission from the war de-
partment, If by act of the
legislature authorized TO come
under the provisions of the
act for raising SIX regiments
Tor the service, passed al the
special session III April last.
and thus counted Us part OF
the quota OF troops 10 be fur
nlShed by \ermont. Will add
about 1000 men, IL $500
each, ST 600 Ol
II in order to make up the
states quota two more regi-
ments should be author
lied, there will be
abou. 2OO0 thus added, at
$500 each, l6S,00O, 90
Also. the expenses of recruit
ing. furnishing and fully pre-
pairing them for service, say
about $lOU000,00 each regi-
ment, 20o,0O0,0O
Making total military outlay
of about SS.2,oOO,o0
TO the above may be added the
states quota of the United
States tax on incomes and
and real estate, imposed by
Congress in August last, 2ll.O6>. 90
Making an estimated and total
expenditure for The current
year, above the ordinary ex-
penSeS OF the state, of a
bout Sl,OS3. .0GS 90
The above expenses may be lightened by
further relmburSements from the nitcd
States treasury. In offset. Congress may i'm
pose an additional tax at its coming session.
OF these matters, however, an not at pres
ent sufficiently informed to speak advisedly :
and Yet it is deemed proper to direct the at
tentlon of the Legislature to them
From the above figures. not claimed to be
an absolutely correct statement, bat supposed
to approximate thereto, and bearing in mind
the amount already expended since the ap-
preparation made at the special session OF the
legislature in April last, il will be seen that
II more troops are 10 be sent INTO the service.
further appropriation 10y the present legis-
lature will be necessary
As before remarked, Vermont has now five
regiments of infantry in the service of the
United States. There is regiment of caval-
ry now recruited in this state, by authority
of the war department at Washington, which
If authorized by special act of the present
Legislature TO come under provisions OF the
act passed at the special session in April last,
for raising six regiments, will complete the
number OF regiments then authorized to be
raised. There Is also one full company OF
sharpShOoterS from the state now in the ser
vice; and there are one or two other compa-
nies Of like character now recruiting. If it is
deemed advisable to place these companies
on the footing as to extra pay, &c, already
authorized for other troops, further lesisia-
ton will be necessary. The states full quo
ia for the national army, as at present indi-
Gated by government, is about eight regi-
ments. As but six regiments have vet been
authorized, further Legislation viii be requir-
ed before additional regiments can be raised
and prepared for service. shall be happy
to cooperate with the legislature in any plans
1t may adopt in this direction, and respectful
ly suggest the propriety of raising at least
two more regiments for the United States
service.
4 The militia laws Of the state are not such
as the times demand. They are diffuse, of
doubtful construction, ,and quite too unwie.dy
and inefficient. Recent events clearly de-
monstrate that no community, however free,
can afford 10 repose in so detenseless a con
dition as the people of Vermont have been
content with of late years. There is abund-
ant talent in the legislature to investigate and
compare the best known systems, and to per
feet compact, perspicuous and effective law,
out OF which shall grow military organiza-
ton that will be an honor and defence to our
state.
In August last, Congress passed an act inn
posing a direct tax of S2O,0OO,OOO annually