[401]
Europe, in April, 1861, an advance of $1,000 was made to him from the treasury of the Commonwealth for his personal expenses, which amount is included in the $2,500 allowed to him by the order of the Governor and Council of Sept. 17, 1862; and it is not intended on the part of the Governor to admit, by any thing herein contained, that any valid claim existed against the Commonwealth in favor of the agent for time and services.
On that point, for the purpose of the inquiries of the honorable House, it is not necessary here to express an opinion.
On the twenty-fourth day of February, the
Governor transmitted with a message to the
House the
Annual Report of the
Adjutant-General,
Quartermaster-General,
Master of Ordnance, and the
Surgeon-General.
Of these reports he says,—
It has been the aim of the Adjutant-General to present in full detail, not only the formal returns, but, so far as possible, the main features, of the military history of each of the Massachusetts volunteer and militia corps organized and serving during the past year.
He speaks of it as forming an interesting and honorable record.
Of the
Surgeon-General's report he says,—
I venture to mention, as of special interest, the wise and suggestive report of the Surgeon-General, to whose intelligent and humane administration of his bureau I confess a constant obligation.
He also speaks in terms of praise of our agents,
Robert R. Corson, of
Philadelphia, and
William Robinson, of
Baltimore, gentlemen who have rendered good service in the care of sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals, and soldiers falling into distress or want.
These gentlemen's names had been inadvertently omitted in the
Adjutant-General's report.
He also refers to the services rendered by
Colonels Howe and
Tufts,
Massachusetts agents at New York and
Washington, of whom we have spoken in preceding pages, and whose services will ever be remembered with gratitude by a humane and Christian people.
The Legislature remained in session until the 30th of April.
We omit giving an abstract of its proceedings, as the greater portion of the time was occupied with State matters not relating to military affairs.
It, however, passed a number of excellent
