and to avail itself of the military organization of the several states, made in conformity thereto, whenever the national exigencies have demanded the services of that species of military force. With these general observations upon the necessity of some kind of military organization in this state, I will refer the whole subject to the consideration of those to whom it legitimately belongs, without seeking to urge upon their attention any definite plan or system. If, however, my views in connection with this subject should be regarded as of any consequence, they may be found embodied in several of my preceding annual reports, the specific recommendations and suggestions of which I have not deemed it either useful or decorous again to repeat. I will add that the keepers of the Portland and Bangor Arsenals, report the public property contained in those arsenals in good condition. The appropriation made at the last session of the legislature for labor in the Portland arsenal has been judiciously expended. That for the Bangor arsenal is now being expended under the direction of its keeper. The quota of arms to which Maine is annually entitled, and which is predicated upon the returns of the numerical strength of the militia of the state, has again been withheld by the general government. Within the past year I have repaired several artillery gun houses, and put them in a condition to preserve the property of the state therein deposited. Other gun houses in the state need considera ble repairs the coming year. In the present aspect of our military affairs it is found exceedingly difficult to make these buildings safe depositories for the artillery property belonging to the state and entrusted to companies, many of whom have been disbanded and others are destitute of officers. It was ascertained that the state had no valid title to the site upon which was located the gun house in the town of Topsham. Acting under an order of the council I have caused all the state's property that was contained in it, to be transported to the arsenal in Portland, and the building to be sold. During the present year I have discharged nearly two hundred officers, most of whom had held commissions during the term allowed by law. The provision of law limiting the period of holding a commission to seven years, makes it imperative upon the discharging officer to issue discharges at the expiration of that term, however detrimental it may sometimes be to the public interest. Under the operation of this law, with only occasional elections to fill the vacancies that occur, but few officers below the grade of major general will be in commission at the end of three years, and a great majority of the officers now in commission will vacate their places by the law of limitation at a much earlier period. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, ALFRED REDINGTON, Adjutant General. OF THE BANK COMMISSIONERS, JANUARY, 1848. Published agreeably to Resolve of March 22, 1836. AUGUSTA: WM. T. JOHNSON,.......PRINTER TO THE STATE. REPORT. To the Governor and Council of the State of Maine. THE undersigned, having visited the incorporated banks in the state, transacting business, during the months of September and October last, report, most respectfully, that they have found those banks in a condition, which, in our judgment is safe. Though the liabilities are unusually large, the resources of those banks, we believe, are abundant. It is true that the circulation of the bills of the banks is larger than at any former period, which, in view of legal provisions, we cannot commend. The individual deposits too are unusually large. Yet these two items amount only to the sum of four millions seven hundred and forty-nine thousand five hundred and fifty-four dollars and fifty-seven cents, to wit: Circulation, $2,892,674 00 These constitute the only liabilities of the banks to the public. The reserved profits belong to the stockholders. The indebtedness to banks hereafter detailed in the subjoined statements, consists almost solely of mutual accounts among the banks of the state, and is deducted in the estimates which we present. The net balances only are given. To meet this circulation and these deposits, the banks have in their vaults, four hundred eighty-four thousand seven hundred twenty-eight dollars and eight cents, in specie. Almost half a million-being nearly double the amount in any former year. They |