A considerable portion of the volunteeer companies of this city consists of gallant young men from the country. Coming to this city with the patriotic purpose of joining in the expedition in which they have engaged, but some of them without the means of supporting themselves until mustered into the service of the United States, I felt myself bound to make a soldier's provision for them. I accordingly directed the captain of the public guard to furnish such as might need it, the best accommodations in his power. I am gratified to believe that this arrangement afforded much relief, and helped to spread the fine feeling that has been manifested. I have also felt myself bound to take some responsibility in providing uniforms and other clothing for our regiment. It is the only plan by which it could be made to present a uniform appearance, or be furnished with good and substantial clothing for any thing like the sum allowed by the federal government. I would also suggest, that a sum of money not exceeding $6000 be appropriated for the purpose of supplying any deficiency in the full and complete equipment and comfort of our regiment. I think that this burden should be borne by the state alone. Other states have promptly assumed it, and you, gentlemen, will, I am sure, cheerfully do likewise. Some of the finest spirits in our state are labouring under the disabilities of our anti-duelling law. Already, I believe, some of them have been elected officers of our volunteer force; and others are panting to enter the service of their country. Although I am fully convinced that this law has been productive of the finest results, I most respectfully recommend the passage of a law exempting all those who may be engaged as volunteers in our regiment, from the disabilities which they may have heretofore incurred. I am opposed to an aggressive war. Our growth will be more effectually promoted by the arts of peace than by the force of arms. But compelled, as we have been, into our existing war "by the act of the Republic of Mexico," and necessarily involved in a heavy expenditure in its prosecution, peace should not be made except upon concessions of territory by the offending power. This mode of ending the war, so unnecessarily brought upon us by Mexico, is so obviously just, that I am satisfied it will receive the decided approval of a free and enlightened people. I am not one of those who entertain fears for our institutions from accessions of territory. Happiness and prosperity, not misery and calamity; strength, not weakness, followed the noble acquisition of the territory of Louisiana. Texas has naturally and happily taken her position in our political brotherhood. And, so far, the elevation and enlargement of the arch of our Union has not been found to weaken the noble edifice. So far, then, from regarding our probable accessions of territory as dangerous to our republic, I consider its extension as indispensable to the preservation and maintenance of the pure principles of our Federal Union. The last legislature, by act passed February 3rd, 1846, having agreed to accept the recession of the town and county of Alexandria, so soon as the congress of the United States shall by law give their assent thereto,—and it appearing that the congress of the United States has given such assent, and that every preliminary condition and formality has been strictly observed, nothing now remains to effectuate the retrocession of the said county, but for you to provide by law for the extension of our jurisdiction over it. I herewith communicate the official papers connected with this important acquisition, consisting of the letter of the commissioners to me, under date of the 3rd September 1846, communicating certain documents in relation thereto; also upon the same subject, a letter from the president of the United States, under date of the 7th September 1846, with a list of accompanying papers, numbered 1 to 8, inclusive. Since your last session the imposts of the federal government have been modified and reduced. This reduction of our taxes will afford a very sensible relief to our fellow-citizens; and taken in connexion with the demand abroad for our breadstuffs, and especially for our Indian corn, a demand which may be regarded as permanent, gives us a strong assurance of solid and permanent prosperity. I deem it of the greatest consequence to our interests, that we should cultivate a liberal policy with foreign nations. Such a policy is the true road to wealth, and is especially important to the grain growing and planting states. I have now performed my duty in the best manner in my power under the circumstances which surround me. But I cannot conclude without a hope, a hope earnest and profound, that you will commence that great system of improvements, without delay, which is so essential to the wealth and greatness of our state, and which would give to you, gentlemen, a noble immortality. And now may God, to whose love we owe our manifold blessings, enlighten your councils, and teach you the true way to advance the happiness and glory of our beloved commonwealth. 4 WM. SMITH. DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S REPORT. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, To his Excellency WILLIAM SMITH. SIR, I have the honour to submit herewith the annual return of the militia of Virginia for the year 1846 of the arms in their hands, and those in depot at the Lexington arsenal. The superintendent of the armory will make return of the arms at that post. Having referred so frequently in former reports to amendments of the militia law, which seem to be indispensable, it is unnecessary to repeat them, now that a revisal may be expected by the next general assembly. It is important that such revisal should be made as speedily as possible, that the law may be printed and distributed to the officers throughout the state who are now entirely unfurnished. The aggregate force exhibited by the brigade returns had increased from 105,522 men in 1840, to 121,653 in 1845. The aggregate this year is 121,336, officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, of every description of force, shewing a falling off of 317 from the last year's returns, a consequence chiefly of the negligence or incapacity of returning officers; and I have every reason to believe that the returns of the present year, like those of preceding years, are many thousands short of the number of men subject to militia duty. After having resorted to every other expedient, I addressed myself directly to the adjutants of the delinquent regiments. The correspondence opened in this way, shews beyond a question that many of them are incompetent, negligent or ignorant of their duties. It will never be otherwise so long as those officers are appointed as at present. I repeat again, and appeal to the brigadier generals to sustain me, that it is indispensable to return to the system of training the officers by means of the best qualified brigade inspectors, and require them to make the returns. But unless these officers are themselves the best tacticians, (and the law should provide that they shall be,) little will be gained by the change. It is not among the least of the benefits resulting from the Military institute at Lexington, that its graduates, some of whom are now to be found in every brigade, are in all respects fully qualified for such appointments. In conformity with the law which requires the adjutant general to report the names of such commandants of brigades as shall have failed in due time to make their annual returns, or as may have furnished informal and incorrect returns, I report the following standing list of delinquents: Brig. Gen'l William Lambert, 2d brigade, has made no return. Brig. Gen❜l John C. Crump, 8th brigade, return inaccurate, and not received until the 14th November. Brig. Gen'l J. J. Jackson, 23d brigade, the same. Some of these officers have been reported every year since the law referred to was passed, and it shews that the law is valueless without a penalty. If general officers, in the quiet and leisure of private life, cannot or will not take the trouble once a year to make the single return required of them, what is to be expected of such should they be called into the field? It is worse than useless longer to tolerate such negligences and delinquencies. Some decisive measures should be adopted at once, by which all negligent, incompetent or superannuated general officers shall be stricken from the roll without the expense of courts martial. Since the The armory and guard stationed there were found upon a recent inspection in the best condition. last report the guard has been furnished with field pieces, and have been well trained in the school of artillery tactics. Every thing in these branches of the public service bears the impress of the very first order of military skill, experience and fidelity in the commanding officer. It is not within the line of my duty to report upon the Military institute at Lexington; but I may be permitted to express the hope, that apart from its intrinsic merits, the present state of our national affairs will be deemed an additional reason for the increase in the number of cadets as recommended by the board of visitors. The necessity for an ordnance and quarter master sergeant at that post, which I have several times reported, is increasing from year to year with the accumulation of collected arms at that place, and I respectfully press the subject on your consideration at this time. There being no enlisted soldiers at the Institute, this non-commissioned officer might be enlisted by the captain of the guard in Richmond for this special service, and paid as part of the guard. The state has already lost more for the want of one than thrice the annual cost. It has been now 18 or 20 years since the arms at this arsenal were cleaned and packed in boxes designed to be air tight. But it is known that arms so packed will sometimes rust in spite of every precaution, and in that state, if not speedily attended to, become worthless. It is therefore quite necessary, in my opinion, to have these arms thoroughly examined— a task impracticable by the board of visitors, the adjutant general, or the corps of cadets-but which might be performed by an ordnance sergeant, under the direction of the superintendent of the Military school. According to your instructions I have examined the ordnance at the armory, with a view to the expediency of disposing of a portion of it by sale. There are of brass-Two mortars. Six 32 pounder cannon. Exclusive of 4 pieces attached to the guard. And these, I think, it would be inexpedient to part with. Of iron there are-Five 24 pounder cannon. Thirty-six 12 pounder cannon. One hundred and twenty-four 6 pounder cannon. All which, except the 24 pounders, it would I think, be for the interest of the state to sell, if a sale can be effected. It can scarcely happen that she will ever require any thing like the number on hand; and although the metal is of the best quality, and the pieces for strength and model equal to any iron guns for field service, yet they are liable to injury even with the utmost care-not equal in exterior finish to guns of more modern date, and it would altogether be better to replace them with brass guns, to the extent at least of the probable requirements of the public service. These can be obtained from the general government as part of the annual quota of arms distributed to the states under the act of congress of 1808-are altogether preferable to the iron pieces, and not subject to injury from the same causes. From the best information I have been able to obtain by consultation with Capt. Dimmock, superintendent of the armory, the probable value of the iron guns, if sold for field service, would be as follows: This estimate is for the guns alone, without carriages or implements-if necessary to provide the latter, it is presumed the work might be done at the penitentiary, where a stock of timber was laid in for that purpose several years ago. In every point of view, I think it will be decidedly for the public interest to dispose of them. The cannon balls at the armory are utterly worthless. It is indispensable to have a stock of good balls on hand, as well to meet any emergency, as for target practice at the Military school, by the guard, and by the several artillery companies which are provided with field pieces. A few ton can be cast at the Tredegar works in Richmond at a very inconsiderable expense. All which is respectfully submitted. WM. H. RICHARDSON, |