yet in progress. Interrupted in his march by this new turn of affairs, and the breach in the modes of travel and communication, it became necessary for the moment that our troops should seek another route to Washington; and also to endeavor to prevent the important post and position of Annapolis from seizure, and its inhabitants from demoralization. These new necessities created a demand for other arms, to accompany the infantry which alone had been ordered from Washington, and a battalion of rifles, under the command of Major Devens, of Worcester, (reinforced by the rifle corps of Capt. Briggs, from Pittsfield,) and the Boston battalion of light artillery under Major Cook, were put into immediate requisition, and accompanied the infantry command under Col. Lawrence, of which the Fifth Regiment of our line is the nucleus. The urgency of the occasion and the telegram of General Butler from Philadelphia, requesting artillery, and the military reasons palpably establishing the necessity of aiming at the substantial right, to the postponement of ceremonies or forms, convinced me that I ought to take the responsibility of putting these additional arms in motion, and of providing the requisite means for their equipment and transportation. This force arrived at New York on Sunday night, and sailed in two steamers on Monday, the 22d, for Annapolis, whither they had been preceded by Butler with Munroe's command from Philadelphia. On the preceding Saturday, the Old Colony command, made up in part of Col. Packard's and in part of Col. Wardrop's regiments, had arrived at Fortress Monroe,-Packard in the "State of Maine" steamer, by way of Fall River, and Wardrop in the steamer "Spaulding," directly from Boston. On the very day of their arrival, Wardrop's command had been put on board the United States steamer, the "Pawnee," and had left the fortress to assist in a brilliant movement, both of danger and success, in the destruction of United States vessels and military stores at Gosport Navy Yard, then menaced and in immediate danger of falling into the hands of the public enemies. The saving of the venerable ship-of-war "Constitution,”— the "Old Ironsides" of our familiar speech and affectionate memories, is one of the happy omens and one of the first illustrations of that scries of actions and events which characterized the conduct and enterprise of our soldiers after the landing at Annapolis;-holding the post, saving another ship-of-war endangered from Baltimore, rebuilding a railroad, reconstructing locomotives, opening up the communication between Washington and Philadelphia, at the

same time that they were enduring the hitherto untried deprivations of a camp, and the hardships incident to a soldier's career for which the suddenness of their call had permitted no adequate preparation.

The contracts and expenditures incidental to this movement of troops, to obtaining and arranging their final equipment, whether of arms or clothing, to their subsistence, and general comfort and protection, have been unhesitatingly incurred, in firm reliance upon the support and sympathy of the people and the approval of the legislature. Nor-in view of the known inadequacy of the national stores-have the governor and council hesitated to anticipate coming wants and to provide for military stores, clothing and equipments as rapidly as possible, not only to supply current needs and to repair existing deficiencies, but to meet the certain demands of the approaching summer.

I cannot doubt that to some extent the suddenness of our necessary action, the novelty of our situation, and the fact of the inexperience of our whole people in the arts of war and the wants of camp life, have exposed us all to some mistakes, to some loss of material, to some misadaptation of means to ends and some oversight of economies possible to better opportunities or to greater experience. But I am confident that the service has been conducted by all its agents and departments with zealous care and honest effort to command success in the work of economy not less than in the more brilliant and attractive spheres of gallant enterprise. The disbursements in the military service, which had been made up to the close of business yesterday, were:—

To these expenditures may be added (besides the amount. of the contemplated purchase of arms in Europe,) about $100,000 more, to cover contracts for clothing and equipments now in progress to meet present and future wants. Of all these contracts and disbursements more detailed statements are ready for exhibition.

Nearly all these expenditures (aside from the purchase of the steamers) constitute valid claims upon the Federal gov

ernment, since its lack of such outfits and provisions as are required by soldiers on the march and in the camp, imposed upon us the necessity of procuring supplies for immediate use and of preparation for future demands. The contracts described as in progress, are in part for fatigue suits, and also for full uniforms for summer campaign service, adequate to the wants of six thousand men.

I ought not, in this connection, to omit to allude to the unremitting care that has been cast upon the whole executive council, which has held daily sessions during the past month, and whose committees on contracts and accounts have been constantly and laboriously occupied.

In truth and courtesy I must add, that whatever success has thus far been achieved in our military operations, is largely due to the incessant exertions and chivalrous devotion of my military aides-de-camp, to whom the Commonwealth is indebted for invaluable services far beyond the immediate duties of their official stations, and for which I gladly confess my personal obligation. I am also under special and peculiar obligation to some gentlemen whose time withdrawn from the important cares of their private business, was generously offered to the Commonwealth and accepted in the same spirit in which it was tendered, and whom I would gladly designate by name, were I permitted to do so by the proprieties of this occasion.

Very soon after the commencement of our preparations, the increase of business rendered the appointment of a quartermaster-general, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the General Statutes, an obvious necessity, and I nominated to that office a gentleman who has generously and faithfully performed its duties, for which no compensation has been provided by law. This withdrawal of certain duties, not properly pertaining to the office of the adjutant-general, has enabled the crowded business of his bureau to be conducted with an efficiency and dispatch otherwise impossible.

But even with all this zealous and faithful coöperation, it is obvious that a broader and more comprehensive organization of the staff of the commander-in-chief is required by the condition of affairs. It is my opinion that an officer with substantially the functions of commissary-general, is needed to accompany the Massachusetts troops in the field, and that the institution, at least temporarily, of a regular medical bureau, is particularly desirable, its duties having thus far been generously performed by a commission of medical gentlemen in Boston informally appointed. With

this view, I suggest that it may be advisable to authorize the governor, with the advice of the executive council, to institute and commission such additional staff officers as the public business may, in his judgment, from time to time require, and, in the same manner, to fix their compensation, and to remove them, or to discontinue their offices; and, further, to define and prescribe the respective duties of the various departments of the staff.

I respectfully recommend that an appropriation be made to cover these expenses and contracts already incurred, as well as such others as may hereafter be indicated, and of such additional public service as the legislature may direct.

In view of the great lack of arms existing in this Commonwealth, certain to become apparent in the event of a continued struggle,—a want shared by the States in common with each other,-under the advice and consent of the council, I commissioned a citizen of Massachusetts on the 27th day of April, (who sailed almost immediately in the steamer Persia,) to proceed to England, charged with the duty of purchasing Minié rifles, or other arms of corresponding efficiency, in England or on the Continent, as he might find it needful or desirable. To this end he was furnished with a letter of credit to the amount of fifty thousand pounds sterling, and he was attended by an accomplished and experienced armorer, familiar with the workshops of the old world. The production of fire arms at home will of necessity remain for a considerable period inadequate to the home demand, and I await with much. interest the arrival from abroad of our expected importation; and I have no doubt that congress, at its approaching special session, will relieve this Commonwealth from the payment. of the duties chargeable thereon.

In addition to its other military defences, the nautical school ship has been fitted up to aid in guarding the coast of the Commonwealth, and has been armed with four sixpound cannon and fifty-two muskets. The collector of the district of Boston and Charlestown has commissioned and placed on board the ship an "aid-to-the-revenue," with instructions to overhaul all supicious vessels, warning him to use that authority with caution and moderation. Each afternoon, at the expiration of business hours, the collector telegraphs to the station at Hull the names of all vessels having permission to pass out of the harbor of Boston, and the list being immediately forwarded to the ship, the "aid" is authorized to order all vessels not so reported, and attempting to leave the harbor between sunset and sunrise,

to wait till the next day, and until he is satisfied of their right to pass.

The commander of the ship is instructed to assist the aidto-the-revenue, to see that thorough discipline is at all times maintained; that the rules of the ship are strictly obeyed; that all due economy be practiced; that the exercises of the school are daily continued; and to see that the boys receive kind treatment, and their habits, morals and education, are carefully and constantly regarded. On the seventh of this month the ship left the harbor of Boston, and is now cruising in the bay in the performance of the duties assigned her.

A sense of insecurity along our coast under the late piratical proclamation of Jefferson Davis, as well as our constant wants for transportation service, have induced a purchase for the Commonwealth as a part owner with the underwriters of Boston, of the steamer "Cambridge," of about 860 tons burden, and of the steamer "Pembroke," of 240 tons, both of which, equipped with competent naval armament, and ready to fight their way over the seas, are engaged in service. The "Cambridge" has carried a full cargo of arms, men, and supplies in ample quantities not only to Fortress Monroe, but up the Potomac itself. And in spite of the danger supposed to menace her from its banks, she has safely conveyed tents, stores, provisions and clothing to our troops at Washington.

Besides making the requisite appropriations to meet these and other expenses, and adopting measures to establish the power of the executive to meet the emergencies of the occasion on a distinctly legal foundation, my other principal purpose in convening the general court was to ask its attention to the subject of a State Encampment for Military Instruction.

Wise statesmanship reqiures an adequate anticipation of all future wants of the controversy whether as to the number or quality of the military force, its discipline, instruction, arms or equipment. At this moment, there exist one hundred and twenty-nine companies newly enlisted into the active militia, all of whom were induced to enroll themselves by the possibility of active duty in the field. Many of these are anxious to receive orders for service, and withdrawing themselves from other avocations, they are now endeavoring to perfect themselves in the details of a soldier's routine of duty. It seemed equally an injustice towards those who are disposed to arms, and to all other citizens on whom future exigencies might cast the inconvenient necessity of taking the field, to discourage