the Quarter Master General's department was placed under the direction and control of the Adjutant General, since which, he has performed all the duties of both departments.

A strong repugnance is manifested in many sections of the State to an organization of the militia. Serious embarrassments have been encountered, consequently, by the Adjutant General, in his efforts to obtain from the civil authorities of the various townships and counties, prompt and accurate returns of those liable to do military duty. Those embarrassments however, have been, in a good degree, overcome, by the zealous and unremitted exertions of that efficient officer, to whom the State is principally indebted for the progress, thus far, made in the enrollment of the militia.

The whole numerical strength of the militia of the State is estimated at sixty thousand, embracing those actually enrolled--such as are liable to military duty, but not yet returned, together with the active or volunteer force. I commend to the favorable notice of the legislature the proposition of the Adjutant General to appropriate to the purpose of an Armory the rooms hitherto occupied by the Auditor General and State Treasurer, in the State Building in the City of Detroit. The reasons urged by him for such use of the rooms in question, are certainly forcible, and to my mind, entirely satisfactory. They are fully detailed in his report.

I concur in opinion with the Adjutant General, also, with regard to the propriety of placing at the disposal of his department; a fund sufficient to defray its necessary incidental expenses.

On the 19th of May, 1846, a requisition was made by the War Department, upon the executive of this State, for the enrollment of a regiment of volunteer infantry, of ten companies, to be held in readiness for active service, when called for by the President.

By a joint resolution of the Legislature, approved February 13, 1847, the sum of ten thousand dollars was appropriated, to be applied, in the discretion of the executive, in fitting out any volunteer regiment, battalion or company, that might be called from this State, to serve in the war with Mexico.

In October last, an order was issued by direction of the President, for mustering these troops into the service of the United States; and the measures necessary to secure a compliance with

13

that order, were taken without delay, by the proper authorities of the State. Officers of the regiment and of the several companies have been appointed and commissioned, and although the required number of the rank and file, in some of the companies, has not yet been completed, the regiment, nevertheless, has been mustered into the service of the United States, and six companies have marched for the seat of war.

The commanders of the four companies remaining, give assurance that their respective commands will be speedily filled, and the whole in readiness to follow those who have preceded them.

An account of the disbursements made, and to be made, under the joint resolution referred to, will be submitted to you, when the object to which they are applicable shall have been fully accomplished.

The amount thus expended will in due time be reimbursed to the State treasury by the general government.

The promptitude with which our fellow citizens responded to this call, affords an earnest that they will cheerfully encounter any hardship or danger for the vindication of their country's honor or the maintenance of its rights. They are entitled to our warm and unmeasured thanks; and, that they may be "saved from the hands of our enemies"-"preserved from all perils," and restored to their respective families and friends, should the prayer of every American patriot and christian be offered to Him who is alone the giver of victory.

I do not propose an investigation of the causes which have led to our present unhappy relations with Mexico, nor a vindication of the policy by which our government has been guided in the prosecution of the war with that Republic.

Either would be supererogation. It is sufficient to say, here, that the war was neither sought nor commenced by our government: we were forced into the position we now occupy, by the aggres sive acts of Mexico herself.

She invaded our territory with her armed soldiery, and there shed the blood of our citizens.

No choice was left for us. To oppose force with force-drive the invader from our soil-vanquish her armies-capture her soldiers

subjugate her cities and towns-occupy and govern her country-levy contributions upon her inhabitants for the support of our army, until she should acknowledge our rights, and make reparation for the long catalogue of injuries committed upon our citizenswas the imperious duty of our government.

That duty it has endeavored faithfully to perform, and its efforts thus far made, have been crowned with triumphant success. From Palo Alto to Buena Vista, and from Vera Cruz to Mexico, the march of our army was but a continued series of victoriesour brave troops, officers and men, have covered themselves with unfading glory.

Of all the heroic band composing the American army in Mexico, none have served their country more faithfully, bravely, and successfully than those from our own State; officers and privates, regulars and volunteers, all have devoted themselves to their country's cause, with a determined energy and unconquerable courage, that would have distinguished an army of veterans. They have poured out their blood like water, and their crippled limbs and mutilated bodies are sad but truthful mementos of their deeds of daring upon the battle-field.

They, with all their compatriots in arms, merit our highest praises and our deepest gratitude.

The fiscal year of the State Prison has hitherto terminated on the 31st day of October; but by the Revised Statutes of 1846, its accounts for the year are to be closed on the 30th of November, producing uniformity, in that respect, between it and the other departments. Consequently, the report of its officers for the present year, will embrace a period from the 1st of November, 1846, to the 30th of the same month, in 1847, both inclusive.

The number of convicts remaining in the prison on the 31st of October, 1846, was 122. Forty-four were received between that date and the 30th of November, 1847. During the same period, 14 were pardoned, 24 were discharged by expiration of sentence, three died, and two escaped; and on the day last mentioned, the number remaining was 119.

A large proportion of the labor of the convicts has, during the past, as in previous years, been performed for individuals, upon

contract made with them by the agent, under which contracts, 30,418 days work have been performed, at an average price of

about 31 cents per day,

Amounting, in the whole, to

The estimated value of convict labor performed for

the State, is

Making their total earnings,

$9,620 27

2,665 25

$12,285 52

The total receipts of the prison from the State Treasury, from contractors for convict labor, and from all other sources, during the 13 months before specified, were $18,429 03; and the total expenditures, for salaries, subsistence, and for all other purposes, during the same period, were $18,060 42, leaving a balance on hand, Nov. 30th, 1847, of $368 61.

Our Judiciary system will claim your early and careful attention.

A prompt, efficient and wise administration of the laws, is alike essential to the maintenance of public and private rights, and the redress of corresponding wrongs.

By the late revision of our laws, the previously existing judiciary system underwent many material and important alterations.

The office of Chancellor was abolished, and its duties added to those of the Judges of the Supreme Court, then too onerous to be much longer borne by those officers.

To the Chancellor had been committed the administration of equity jurisprudence, for the whole State. To him had been given original jurisdiction in all cases where resort was to be had to remedies purely equitable, and his decrees terminated the litigation in a very large proportion of the suits brought before him.

The business of that Court, from its organization to its abolition, steadily and rapidly increased, and, during the last years of its existence, accumulated largely upon its dockets, notwithstanding the ability and untiring industry of the distinguished individuals who, at different periods, sat upon its bench.

By the same revision, the District Court, a tribunal established for the administration of Criminal Justice alone, in four of the

large counties, was abolished also, and its duties thrown upon the judges of the Supreme Court.

In the Supreme Court, too, there has been a great increase of business during the last few years, especially in the First Judicial Circuit, where causes had accumulated from term to term, until, at the close of the last session, a long calendar remained undecided. Delay of justice, to the man of business, is almost equivalent to its denial; for its speedy administration, therefore, every practicable facility should be afforded.

With a view to relieve the judges of the Supreme Court from the great pressure anticipated, from casting on them the business of the Chancery and Criminal Courts, another tribunal was created, the effect of which has been, it is true, to reduce somewhat the labor of the judges presiding at the circuits.

Such reduction, however, bears but a small proportion to the increase of their labor consequent upon the abolition of the two courts just mentioned.

It is apparent, then, that with our present judicial force, with the system now existing, justice cannot be administered with the promptitude which the public interest requires, and which private suitors have a right to demand.

How shall the evil be remedied? Several modes have been suggested. One, a restoration of the system superseded by the revision of 1846, with an additional justice of the Supreme Court.

Another, an enlargement of the powers of the County Courts, giving to those tribunals general jurisdiction in all actions at law, civil and criminal; and again it has been proposed to retain the present system unchanged, except by the addition of two justices to the court of last

resort.

On the score of economy, the first, I cannot doubt, is entitled to a decided preference. I believe no system has been yet devised, under which so large an amount of judicial labor can be performed, at the same expense, as the one adopted on the organization of our State Government.

Seven individuals, of competent ability, would, unquestionably, perform the whole judicial service of the State, (except such as more properly falls within the jurisdiction of Probate Courts and Justices of the Peace,) for many years to come, and that too, without the aid of local judges.