The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-01-12

emergency had expired. Finding that
the appropriation was likely to fail in
Congress, [ laid the matter before the
Legislature, just prior to their adjourn
ment, in May last, and an Act of Assem-
BILE was Immediately passed to refund the
money out OF the State Treasury, which,
as above stated, has been done. I ought
to say that the appropriation by Congress
was vigorously supported by all the mem
bers from this State in both brauches.-
Having done everything in my power to
procure the payment of the just claim of
the State. | now recommend that the
Legislature take the subject into cousid-
GRAFTON, with view to induce proper ac-
tion by the President and Congress.
By the act of 22d of August, 1864,
was authorized to cause an immediate
enrolment of the militia to be made, un-
less that recently made by the United
States should be found sufficient, and to be
ralsed, by volunteering or draft, corps of
fifteen thousand men for the defense of
our Southern border. The United States
enrolment being found very defective, l
directed an enrolment to be made, which
is now in progress under the charge of
Colonel Lemuel Todd whom appointed
Inspector General. A draft by the Uni
ted States was then in progress, aud it
was no: thought advisable to harrass our
| people by cotemporaneous State draft,
even if draft had been practicable un-
der the present law.
Volunteers could not be obtained, there
being no bounties, and the men not being
exempted by their enlistment in that
corps from draft by the United States
Fortunately the United States placed an
army, under General Sheridan, between
us and the enemy, and thus provided
effectually for our defense. With such
adequate protection, as proved by the
brilliant campaign of that army, did
not think it right to incur the expense to
the State Of an independent army, and
the withdrawal of so many Of our people
from their homes and pursuits. Mean
while arrangements have been made with
the authorities at Washington for arming,
clothing, subsisting and supplying the
corps at the expense of the United States,
and an order has been given by the au-
thorties of the United States to furlough
such volunteers in the corps so privileged
not to exceed 5000 men. 1t is my inten-
tion to raise 5000 men during the winter,
and have already adopted measures to
that end. There may occur irruptions of
irregular bodies of the Rebels, and it is
we'll to be provided against them.
The number proposed to be raised and
put into actual service will, in my judg-
ment, be sufficient, and a regard to due
economy require that 30 more than are
sufficient should be placed on pay The
remaining 10000 will be organized and
ready for service in case of necessity. [
invite your Immediate attention to the
very able report of the Inspector General,
which sets forth the defects in the law
which he has discovered in his prepar-
tion for carrying it into practical effect.
The State agencies at Washington and
in the Southwest are in active and sue
cessfu operation. | communicate here
with the reports of Colonel Jordan, at
Washington, and Colonel Chamberlain,
agent for the Southwest. The provisions
of the law requiring agents to collect
moneys due by the United States to sold
iers, have been benefcent A reference
to their reports will show the magnitude
and usefulness Of this branch of their
/ service. | disirc to invite the attention
of all our volunteers, officers, soldiers,
and their families, to the fact that the
I State agents will collect all their claims
on the Government gratuitously, as l
have reason to believe that many are still
! ignorant of that fact, and are greatly i'm
posed upon by the exorbitant commits
sions charged by private claim agents.
( Under the act of the 9th of May, 1861,
appointed Hon. Thomas ii. Burrowes
to take charge of the arrangements for
the education of the orphans of soldiers.
| communicate herewith copy Of his re-
port on the subject. He has discharged
his duties with commeudable zeal, fdel-
ity and efficiency. | earnestly recon-
mend that a permanent and liberal ap-
preparation be made to support this just
and worthy scheme Of benefcence.
| recommend that an appropriation
be made for pensions to the volunteer
militiamen Cor their families), who were
killed or hurt in service In the year 1867
and 1868 As soldiers sometimes arrive
here who are insane. aud who should be
protected and cared for, recommend that
provision be made for their being placed
in the State Asylum for the Insane, at
this place, aud kept until notice can be
given to the authorities of their resPec-
tive counties who should be required to
remove and care for them.
feel it to be my duty to invite your
serious attention to the evils growing out
of the system of passing acts OF lncorpora-
ton for purposes which are provided for
bv general laws. We have passed acts
authorizing charters to be obtained with
out special legislation. These acts have
been generally prepared with some care
and contain the provisions which the
Legislature thought necessary to protect