hibit the full details of the organization of the militia of the State. In compliance with the act providing for its organization, the State was properly and conveniently divided into military districts, comprising three brigades, twelve regiments, and one hundred and twenty companies. In addition to the twelve regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, divided into three battalions, and three batteries of artillery, have been organized. Of these, one · battalion of cavalry and one battery of artillery, have been attached to each brigade. All the organizations have been uniformed, agreeably to the provisions of the law, and have been fully and completely armed and equipped. The detailed report of the Adjutant and Inspector General will more fully show the condition and efficiency of the several organizations. In December last I made application to the Secretary of War for a supply in full of arms, equipments, ordnance and ordnance stores, and obtained from him fifteen thousand best Springfield rifled muskets, with equipments complete; ordnance for three batteries of artillery, with equipments complete, and cavalry equipments complete for one regiment of cavalry, together with a sufficient quantity of ammunition for the whole. The report of the Quartermaster General will exhibit the amount of arms, equipments, ordnance, and ordnance stores now owned by the State, and the amount and value of that received from the War Department. In compliance with the provisions of the act organizing the militia, and to properly secure and protect the large amount of military property belonging to the State, requiring to be stored, I directed the Quartermaster General to prepare and submit to me full plans and estimates of what would be required for an arsenal for the State. These having been duly submitted and approved by me, I directed that officer to proceed at once with the construction of the necessary buildings at Montpelier. These buildings are now completed, and the State property stored therein. Detailed statements of the cost of construction will appear in the Quartermaster General's report. ACCOUNTS OF THE STATE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. It was my desire and purpose to have closed all the accounts of the State against the United States, and to have effected a full settlement with the government before retiring from office. This I have found it impossible to accomplish, owing to a variety of causes beyond my control. The accounts, however, will all be left in proper form, with the requisite vouchers, and will be duly passed over by me to my successor in office. STATE AID TO SOLDIERS' FAMILIES. Hon. John Howe, Jr., of Brandon, has continued to discharge the duties arising under the act of the Legislature, granting assistance to the families of soldiers, during the past year. His report of the transactions for the year, ending September 1st, 1865, is herewith transmitted. From this it appears that the amount expended during the year was, $17,584 58. Number of families aided, 416 1,832 The amount expended this year has undoubtedly been materially increased, by reason of complaints heretofore made of the inequality in the amount of aid rendered to different towns, thereby causing many to present claims who had not previously been applicants. Such inequalities are incident to the law, and not to the management of the office. The total aid rendered during the four years Mr. Howe has had charge of this department has amounted to seventythree thousand five hundred and forty-two dollars and twenty cents, and his expenses, during the same period, to one thousand three hundred and eleven dollars and sixtyseven cents. When these are compared with similar expenditures of other states, the amount is trifling, and the results attained attest to the faithfulness, integrity and discretion with which the duties have been performed. SURGEON GENERAL. In compliance with the provisions of the act organizing the militia, I appointed Samuel W. Thayer, M. D., of Burlington, Surgeon General of the State. His report of the transactions of his department will accompany the report of the Adjutant and Inspector General. APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY OF STATE. The office of Secretary of State having become vacant in July last, by the death of Hon. George W. Bailey, Jr., I appointed George Nichols, of Northfield, for the unexpired term of said office. APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT. On the 11th day of September last, Hon. Asa Owen Aldis, having received and accepted the appointment of Consul to Nice, tendered his resignation of his office as First Assistant Justice of the Supreme Court of this State. I accordingly appointed Hon. John Pierpont, of Vergennes, to fill said vacancy. I also, at the same time, appointed Hon. James Barrett of Woodstock, to be Second Assistant Justice, Hon. Loyal C. Kellogg of Rutland, to be Third Assistant Justice, Hon. Asahel Peck of Burlington, to be Fourth Assistant Justice, and Hon. Herman R. Beardsley of St. Albans, to be Fifth Assistant Justice. Commissions were duly issued to each for the unexpired term of the respective offices. CLOSE OF STATE AGENCIES IN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, AND PHILADELPHIA. The necessity for the further continuance of these agencies for the relief of the soldiers, having ceased to exist, I directed the several agents to close their agencies in full on the first day of October instant. This has been accordingly done. To Col. F. F. Holbrook, agent at Washington, Col. Frank E. Howe, agent at New York, and Robert R. Corson, Esq., agent at Philadelphia, the State is largely indebted for their unremitting efforts to contribute to the wants and comfort of the soldiers, both in the field and in the hospital. Ever ready to sacrifice their own comfort, they have devoted their time and services to the great and philanthropic work, and their labors in this respect will long be remembered with warm affection and sincere gratitude by these brave and devoted heroes and their friends. Senators, and Gentlemen of the House: It is my happy fortune to retire from the responsible duties of the Executive office at a time when the nation rejoices in a triumphant peace. In the great conflict now closed, Vermont has well sustained her part. Her sacrifices, though great, have been cheerfully made. She has given of her sons with a willing heart; she has contributed of her substance with an unsparing hand. With an unselfish patriotism and steadfast devotion, she has responded to every demand of the general government with promptitude and zeal, always doing more than her allotted part, and closing her final record with a large surplus of men to her credit. Her gallant sons have surpassed the splendor of her ancient fame; on every battle-field and under every trying ordeal, ever first and foremost in all that constitutes the highest glory of the soldier. I restore to the State the trusts which have been so generously confided to my care, conscious that in many things I have not attained to the standard of even my own wishes, still less to the expectations of those who have so liberally supported me by their earnest and active patriotism. I commend you to the guidance of Him who rules and governs the affairs of nations with unerring wisdom, beseeching Him that He will direct you to the adoption of such measures as will best promote the happiness and prosperity of the people. J. GREGORY SMITH. EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, Montpelier, Oct. 12, 1865. On motion of Mr. Reed, the message was Ordered to lie, and eight hundred copies printed for the use of the Senate. A message was received from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Houghton, their Assistant Clerk, as follows: MR. PRESIDENT: I am directed to inform the Senate that the House have adopted, on their part, A joint resolution providing for a Joint Assembly to hear the report of the committee to canvass the votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer; also A joint resolution adopting joint rules; also joint resolution providing for a Legislative Directory; In the adoption of which the concurrence of the Senate is requested. The House have considered A joint resolution from the Senate providing for printing a Directory, And have adopted the same in concurrence. The House have appointed, on their part, to canvass the votes of the freemen of the State, for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer, the following named members: Addison County Mr. Holland of Panton, |