The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-01-16


proceeds of the bonds previously issued had
been appropriated in accordance with the pro-
visions of the law. The company has now re-
ceiyed three of the five millions of bonds de-
posted in the State Treasury. With the pro-
ceeds Of the bonds issued, 81 miles of road have
been completed, making with what had former
" been finished total OF l99 miles, leaving
so miles unfinished, Of which nearly all is graz
dcd and ready for the iron. The bonds still in
The Treasury will yield an amount ample to
complete the road and thus open THIS impor-
tant route of trade and commerce. The devel-
opment Of the vast mineral and other resources
| of our northwestern counties by this means,
will undoubtedly in few years render valuable
the securities of the Sunbury and Eric Ralroad
Company, now forming part Of the Sinking
| Fund of the Commonwealth.
| The interest on the State debt was paid in
August last in specie or its equivalent, in con-
formity with the existing law, at the cost Of
el46G3l % for the difference between specie
and paper currency, OF which tie banks under
the provisions Of the Act Of 1lth April 1882,
have already refunded to the State Sl40, 100 80
This burden on the banks has become heay-
ier than in my Judgment ought to be borne by
any special interest.
| Unless the Legislature should otherwise pro-
vide it will be the duty OF the State Treasurer
to pay the interest in like manner which will
fall due hereafter. We should all be careful
not to violate the faith or impair the credit OF
the Commonwealth. The serious and early con-
sideration of the Legislature is invited TO the
whole subject.
In my opinion there arc already more incor-
porated banks in the Commonwealth than arc
at present required for the public convenience,
and therefore recommend that no more shall
be incorporated
On the 7th of July last, call was made by
the President for 100000 volunteers. This
State had already suppliedneary 200 men,
yet her people promptly bestirred themselves to
respond to this new requirement Although it
was believed that no boupties would be ncccs-
sary to induce the men of Pennsylvania to en-
ter the service Of their country on such an oc-
casion, yet MS some of the neighboring States
offered large bounties, it was thought not right
TO expose our citizens to the temptation thus at
forded to them to enlist i'll regiments Of other
States. There being no appropriation for the
payment of bounties, l, of course, could not di-
rect them to be paid out Of the treasury, and 1t
was evident that to call TIC Legislature togeth-
or and welt for the negotiation of any loan
which might be authorized for the purpose,
would be attended by injurious delay. Under
these circumstances confidently appealed by
proclamation to people who have never fall
tered in the performance of any duty of patri-
otisln, calling on them to raise in their several
counties, the sums necessary TO insure their pro-
portion of the quota of the State. This appeal
was eficctually answered. Public meetings were
| held, and liberal amounts subscribed by indlvld-
uas. In the city of Philadelphia besides very
| large fund thus raised, the municipal authors
ties contributed heavily from their common
treasury, and in several counties the county
commissioners, generally under the guarantee Of
a few Of their eminent citizens, devoted county
! funds to the same purpose. recommend that
these proceedings be legalized and submit to the
wisdom of the Legislature tne question of what
legislation would be just and proper on the whole
subject that the burden of this patriotic effort
may fall equally on all classes of people through
out the State
The result Of this manifestation Of public
spirit was that SO new regiments and three un-
attached companies Of infantry were raised; 4
other regiments, which, previous to this call,
had been authorized by the War Department to
be raised are still in progress of organization.
On special acquisitions from the War Depart
ment there have been raised and arc now in SER
vice five additional regiments, and three compa-
nies Of cavalry, two batteries of heavy artillery,
| and one battery of light artillery. A battalion
of heavy artillery is being raised by Maj Jos.
Roberts, u. S. A, with my assent, also under
special authority of the War Department.
Early in September last the rebel army cross
ed the Potomac into Maryland, with the design
of invading this State. On the 4th of that
month ! called upon the people by proclamation
to organize into companies and hold themselves
in readiness to be ordered into actual service for
! the defence of the State And on the | lth Of
that month, under authority OF the President, |
issued orders for $4,000 volunteer militia, to
rendezvous at Harrisburg, for the defence of
the State. This call was promptly responded to,
and a large force was sent forward to the Cum
berland Valley and its vicinity. The first part
Of this force, consisting of one regiment and s
companies of infantry, moved from Harrisburg
on the night of the 18th of September, and
were followed by other regiments as rapidly as
they could be organized and transportation pro-
vided. The command of the whole force was
taken by Brig. Gen. John L. Reynolds, who
left his corps in The army Of the Potomac at
my urgent request, and hurried to the defence
of his native State, for which he is entitled to
the thanks of the Commonwealth. $4,000 of
the volunteer militia were pushed forward to
| Hagerstown and Boonsboro', in the State OF
Maryland; 10000 were posted in the vicinity
of Greencastle and Chambersburg; and about
25,000 were at Harrisburg, on their way to
Harrisburg, or in readiness and waiting for
transportation to proceed thither. One regi-
ment, at the request of Gen. Halleck, was sent
to protect Dupont's powder mills, in the State
Of Delaware. On the 24th September the vol