Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-14

payment. fennSylFanla tnuS paid nef quota
OF the direct tax before any other State.
There is still due to the State, principally for
advances since made for transportation and
equipments of volunteers, about. three hundred
Thousand dollars.
On the Goth of February last, issued my
warrant authorizing the State Treasurer to de-
liver to the Philadelphia and Erie Rarilroad
Company one thousand of the bonds deposi-
ted with the State in conformity with the Act
OF May Z, 1861. On the Goth of November
issned similar warrant. Both warrants were
granted after receiving reports from John A.
Wright, Esq, the commissioner appointed for
the purpose, that the proceeds OF the bonds
previously issued had been appropriated in ac-
cordance with the provisions of the law. The
company has now received three of the five
millions of bonds deposited in the State Trea-
sury. With the proceeds of he bonds issued +,
ffty-two miles of road have been completed,
making with what had formerly been finished,
a total of one hundred and ninety nine miles,
leaving eighty y-nine miles untinI shed of VIII ich
nearly all is graded and ready for the iron.
The bonds still in the Treasury will yield an
amount ample to complete the road, and thus
open this important route of trade and COM
merce. The development of the vast miner
al and other resorces Of our north western
counties by this means, will undoubtedly in a
few years render valuable the securities of the
Snnbury and Erie Railroad Company, now for
ming part of the Sinking Fund of the Com
monwealth.
Tne 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
one hundred and forty-six thousand six hun
dred and thirty one dollars and twenty-five
cents for the difference between species and
paper currency, of which the banks under
the provisions of the Act of 1lth April, 1862,
have already refunded to the State one hun
dred and forty thousand seven hundred and
sixty light dollars and thirty cents.
This burden on the banks has become heav-
ier than in my Judgment ought to be borne by
any special interest.
Unless the Legislature should otherwise pro-
vide il will be the duty of the State Treasurer
to pay in like manner the interest which will
fall due hereafter. We should all be careful
rot to violate the faith or impair the credit of
the commonwealth. The serious and early
consideration of the Legislature is invited to
the whole subject. In my opinion there
already more incorporated banks in the Com
monwealth than are at present required for the
public convenience, and l therefore recon-
mend that no more shall be incorporated.
On the 7th of July last, call was made by
the President for three hundred Thousand vol
unteers. This State had already supplied near
ly one hundred and ten Thousand men, yet
her people promptly bestirred themselves to
respond to this new requirement. Although
it was believed that no bountes would be nee
essary to induce the men of Pennsylvania to
enter the service of their country on such an
occasion. yet some of the neighboring
States offered large bounties, it was thought
not right TO expose our citizens to the tempta-
tion thus afforded to them to enlist in regi
ments of other States. There being no appro-
priation for the payment OF bounties, L, OF
course. could not direct them to be paid out
OF the treasury, and it was evident that to call
the Legislature together and wait for the ne
gotiation of any loan which might be author
lied for the purpose, would be attended by in
jurious delay. Under these circumstances |
confidently appealed by proclamation to peo.
pie who have never faltered in the performance
OF any duty of patriotism. calling on them to
raise in their several counties, the sums neces-
sary to issue their proportion of the quota of
the State. This appeal was effactualy an
swered. Public meetings were held. and lib
eral amounts subscribed by individuals. In
the city of Philadelphia, besides very large
fund thus raised, the municipal authorities
contributed heavily from their common trea-
sury and in several counties the county COM
missioners, generally under the guarantee of
few of their eminent citizens, devoted coun-
ty funds to The same purpose. recommend
that these proceedings be legalzed, and SUBJ
nit to the wisdom of the Legislature the ques-
tion of what legislation would be just and pro-
per on the whole subject that the burden of
LnlS eUOfI may lati equally on all Gas
ses of people throughout the State.
The result of this manifestation of public
spirit was that thirty-eight new regiments and
three unattached companies of infantry were
raised; four 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 De-
partment there have been raised and now
in service five additional regiments, and three
companies of cavalry, two batteries of heavy
artillery, and one battery of light artillery.
A battalion of heavy artillery is being raised
by Maj Joseph Roberts, U. S. A, with my
assent, also under special authority of the War
Department.
Early in September last the rebel army cros-
sed the Potomac into Maryland. with the de-
sign of invading this State. On the 4th of
that month called upon the people by Proc
lamation to organize into companies and hold
themselves in readiness to be ordered into ac
tual service for the defence of the State. And
on the 11th of that month, under authority of
the President, issued orders for fifty thou
sand volunteer Militia, to rendezvous at Har-
risburg, for the defence of the State. This
call was promptly responded to, and large
force was sent forward to the Cumberland Val
ley and its vicinity. The first part of this
force, consisting of one regiment and eight
companies of infantry. moved from Harris
burg on the night of the 18th of September,
and were followed By other regiments as rap
idly as they could be organized and transpor-
tation provided. The command of the whole
force was taken by Brigadier General John F.
Reynolds, who left his corps in the Army of
the Potomac at my urgent request. and hur-
ried to the defence of his native State, for
which he is entitled to the thanks of the Com
monwealth. Fifteen Thousand of the Volun-
teer Militia were pushed forward to Hagers-
town and Boonsboro', in the State of Mary
land fen fhousa nd were p0sted in the yicini-