Year: 1864

so far as has come to my knowledge,
these soldiers have borne their disap-


pointment manfully, and have perform


ed all the duties assigned to them with a


cbeerfulness and alacrity that speaks


loudly in their praise.


would respectfully submit for your


consideration whether il might not be


we'll to place these recruits for the re-
remainder of their term on the footing Of


re-enlsted men, and If anything should


be done for these latter, in the form Of
bounty from the State, that these re-
cruits should also, under these circum-


stances, be considered and receive the
same or a proportionate bounty. These
recruits embrace those who enlisted in
1852 into the regiments and organiza-
tions then in the service, and Companies


L and NJ of the 1st Vt. Cavalry.


STATE MILITIA AND MILITIA LAW.


In my last communication / took oc-
casion to direct your attention briefly to
the subject of adopting an efficient and
active militia system. The events of the
past year and the present threatening as


pect of affairs render it especially proper


that should again, and more earnestly,
invite your serious consideration Of the


subject.


Vermont stands to-day utterly desti-
tUte of any arm of defence or any eff
cient power to resist or prevent invasion


The dangers to our northern frontier are
| by no means inconsiderable, Lor can
with just regard for the welfare of the
State overlook them nor in the light of
the evidence in my possession, can JUS
tify myself in Withholding an urgent ap-
peal to the Legislature to frame such
law as will place the State in that posi-.
ton of security, and afford those means
of protection TO her people, without
which they are left exposed TO the most
wanton and high handed predatory in
cursions. A prudent regard for the pub>
lie interest does not admit OF my commu
nicating, in this form, all the facts in my
possession tending to show the actual
dangers to which, during the past year
the State has been exposed. 1t is sufi>
cient for me TO say that such evidence,
coming from authoritative sources, was
placed in my possession, as satisfied me
that the peace and safety Of our border
were seriously threatened and to lead TO
the adoption Of proper measures to pre-
vent disasters which would have been
most serious to the entire community in
their consequences. Nor are the dan
gers by any means altogether averted.-'
The more recent movements upon the
western lakes and along the northern
frontier are but evidences Of thoroughly
organized plans, limited by no means to
those special localities, but extending
throughout the whole line of our frontier,
manfesting themselves now upon the
more easterly portion and now at other
and more remote points along the western
border, but all partaking ofthe same gen
eraI purpose, and bearing unmistakable
evidence OF being controlled and actuated
by one master mind.


| am not unmindful of the sentiment
that has hitherto SO extensively pervad-
ed the minds of the people of the State,
in regard to organizing the militia and
the arguments that have been urged
against such measure have appealed to
my own mind heretofore with controlling
force. The burdens already resting up
on the State are large. The young men
who would have been relied upon to bear
the most prominent part in such organi-
cation have been drawn from US to en-
gage 10 the active service Of the country.
The industrial enterprises of the State
have thus to a great extent been made to
suffer, and heavier burdens are in conse-
quence thus imposed upon those who are
left at home.


These and kindred arguments have !
weighed with me hitherto with great
orce, and have been not altogether free |
rom doubt as TO the expediency of at {
empting such an organization at the pres
mt time. I have however, become fully |
atisfied that just regard to the safety OF I
,ur commonwealth demands now at the I
lands of the Legislature an immediate [
md vigorous preparation for defence. c


If there ever was time when our t
afety depended upon our vigilance, when
we'll organized and efficient militia /
would prove bulwark to preserve our q
,eaee and "basis of defense" against
breatened invasion, and perhaps the enly
means of sverting it, the time has, in my S
judgment, fully arrived. t


Feeling thus the importance of an i'm /


!