Year: 1863

/ .
at the cost of one hundred and forty.six
thousand six hundred and thirty-one dol
lars and twenty-five cents for the differ
ence between specie and paper currency,
of which the banks under the provisions
of the Act of 11th April, 1862, have al
ready refunded to the State one hundred
and forty thousand seven hundred and
eighty dollars and thirty cents.


This burden on the banks has become
heavier than in my judgment ought to
be borne by any special interest.


Unless the Legislature should other
wise provide it 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 not to violate
the faith or impair the credit of the Com
monwealth. The serious and early con-
sideration of the Legislature is invited to
the whole subject.


In my opinion there are already more
incorporated banks in the Commonwealth
than are at present required for the pub
| lie convenience, and | therefore recon-
mend that no more shall be incorporated.


On the 7th of July last, call was
made bv the President for three hundred.
thousand volunteers. This State had al
ready supplied nearly one hundred and
ten thousand men, yet her people prompt
I ly bessirred themselves to respond to this
new requirement. Although it was be-
lieVed that no bounties would be neces-
sary to induce the men of Pennsylvania
to enter the service Of their country On
such an occasion, yet as some of the neigh
boring States offered large bountIes, it
was thought not right to expose our citl-
zeus to the temptations thus afforded to
them to enlist in the regiments of other
States. There being no appropriation for
the payment Of bounties, [, OF course,
could not direct them to be paid cut Of
the treasury, and it was evident that to
call the Legislature together and wait 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 a people who have
never faltered in the performance of any
duty of patriotism, calling on them to
raise in their several counties, the sums
necessary to insure their proportion of
the quota of the State This appeal was
effectualIy answered. Public meetings
were held and liberal amounts
subscribed by individuals. In the city
Of Philadelphia, besides very large fund
thus raised, the municipal authorities
contributed heavily from their common
treasury, and in several counties the
county commissioners, generally under the
guarantee of few of their eminent citi-
zens, devoted county funds to the same
purpose. | recommend that these pro-
ceediugs be legalized and submit to the
wisdom of the Legislature the question
of what legislation would be just and
proper on the whole subject that the bur
den of this patriotic effort may fall equal,
ly on all classes Of people throughout the
State.


The result of this manifestation of pub
tic spirit was that thirty eight new regi-
ments and three unattached companies of
infantry were raised four other regi-
ments, which, previous to this call, had
been authorized by the War Department
to be raised are still in progress of organi-
zation.


On special acquisitions from the War
Department there nave been raised and
are now IN service five additional regi-
ments, and three companies of cavalry,
two batteries of heavy artillery. aud one
battery of light artillery. A battalion of
heavy artillery is being raised by Maj. Jo-
seph Roberts, U. S. A, with my assent
also under special authority of the War
Department.


Early in September last the rebel army
crossed the Potomac into Maryland, with
the design of invading this State On
the 4th CT that month | called upon the
people by proclamation to organize into
companies and hold themselves In readi-
ness to be ordered into actual service for
the defence of tho State. And on the
llth of that mouth, under authority Of
the President, l issued orders for fifty
thousand volunteer Militia, to rendezvous
at Harrisburg fer the defence of the State.
This call was promptly responded to, and
large force was sent forward to the Cum
berland Valley and Its vicinity. The first
part of this force, consisting of one regi-
ment and eight 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
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 hurried to the defence of his