troops in the field, and the great sacrifice of life made by them, yet it was one of great magnitude. The old proverb that "constant dropping wears the stone," did not seem to be applicable, for could the continuous drain on the people of Michigan for men and means have worn out their patriotism, such a result would have been surely accomplished. For, aside from the incessant labor of the people in raising men to fill their quotas, to save their communities from the odious drafts which continually threatened them, involving much perplexing anxiety, there were many petty annoyances, great sacrifice of time, together with large expenditures of money by State, counties and townships, and also by individuals, which all combined rendered the burdens and cares of the people at times so heavy as to be almost unbearable. Still the astonishing statements made below, covering over fourteen and a half million of dollars, raised and applied by Michigan for war purposes, although couched in silent figures, speak most eloquently and earnestly of the great sacrifice and the unbounded patriotism of her people.

In accordance with law the Quartermaster General of the the State expended in 1863 $134,250; 1864, $867,959; 1865, $383,076; 1866, $438,500; 1867, $11,700; 1868, $18,623; 1869, $28,850; 1870, $26,400, up to and including 31st of July, amounting in the aggregate to $1,909,408.

Since then there has been paid from July 31st, 1870, up to and including September, 1880, $18,450, making $1,927,858 of a total of bounties.

There was also disbursed $60,000 as premiums for the procuration of recruits.

Aside from these amounts this department expended for war purposes $815,000, making a total of $2,802,858 disbursed by the State.

The following are the aggregate expenditures and liabilities of the various townships, cities and wards of the counties in the State for war purposes, made up from statements of the proper officers, rendered in 1866:

Allegan, $188,898.49; Alpena, $9,781.98; Antrim, $4,638; Berrien, $257,416.97; Branch, $230,086.65; Barry, $180,641; Bay, $61,267; Calhoun, $354,432.32; Clinton, $135,936; Cass, $196,239.86; Chippewa, ; Cheboygan, $1,525; Delta,

1,200; Eaton, $175,363.58; Emmet, $50; Genesee, $150,488.75; Gratiot, $23,527; Grand Traverse, $12,990.54; Hillsdale, $282,449.21; Houghton, $39,152.71; Huron, $17,230; Ionia, $182,888; Ingham, $203,985; Isabella, $5,775; Iosco, $4,900; Jackson, $439,325.10; Kent, $167,550.50; Kalamazoo, $383,416.61; Keweenaw, $1,000; Livingston, $144,379.22; Lapeer, $129,674.89; Lenawee, $544, 557.75; Leelanaw, $4,845.52; Midland, $12,598; Montcalm, $44,861.20; Muskegon, $43,604; Macomb, $289,029.69; Mecosta, $3,340; Monroe, $135,180.69; Manistee, $15,476; Manitou, ; Mackinac, $6,727.50; Mason, $807; Marquette and Schoolcraft, $3,000; Newaygo, $12,004; Ottawa, $148,523; Oakland, $586,556.98; Oceana, $14,692.93; St. Clair, $233,291.90; St. Joseph, $557,958; Saginaw, $158,099.59; Shiawassee, $167,203; Sanilac, $95,794.29; Tuscola, $67,631.96; Van Buren, $115,637.90; Wayne, $660,554.88; Washtenaw, $458,563.54. Total, $8,157,748.70.

Amount expended by each county of the State from 1861 to 1867 for the relief of soldiers' families, under the provisions of the Soldiers' Relief Law, approved May 10th, 1861:

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Alpena, $8.80; Allegan, $80,985.72; Antrim, $666.11; Bay, $21,991 54; Barry, $86,598.15; Berrien, $131,924.45; Branch, $69,121.20; Calhoun,$200,193.66; Cass, $80,883.46; Clinton,$67,443.75; Cheboygan, $368.92; Chippewa, $1,032; Delta, Eaton, $62,103.69; Emmet, $1,948.40; Genesee, $89,087.12; Gratiot, $8,875; Grand Traverse, $10,636.81; Hillsdale, $90,155.96; Houghton, $8,419; Huron, $23,033.50; Ingham, $110,547.09; Isabella, $4,680.45; Ionia, $31,500; Iosco, $1,000; Jackson, $129,401.25; Kalamazoo, $119,984.79; Kent, $76,311; Keweenaw, $3,620; Lapeer, $75,000; Livingston, $34,500; Lenawee, $145,226.20; Leelanaw, $6,487.89; Macomb, $110,339.26; Mecosta, $9,280.09; Mackinaw, ; Midland, $6,550; Manitou,

-; Mason, $3,200; Manistee, $9,620; Muskegon, $20,000; Marquette, $7,989.16; Menominee, $390; Monroe, $143,762; Montcalm, $40,000; Newaygo, $14,516.72; Ottawa, $56,616.08. Oceana, $18,368; Ontonagon, $4,747.02. Oakland, $127,993.38; Sanilac, $73,111.33; Shiawassee, $50,645; Saginaw, $81,000; St. Clair, $89,427.99; St. Joseph, $96,214; Tuscola, $51,987.22; Van Buren, $99,511.81; Washtenaw, $155,043.15, and Wayne, $547,200. Total, $3,591,248.12, while $14,569,852.82 was the total public expenditure of the State, without making any ac

count of the large sum which the war must of necessity have cost private individuals in money and articles contributed for sanitary purposes and other contingencies.

The amount of $594,600 was paid by individuals into the Treasury of the United States in accordance with law, by drafted citizens of the State as commutation.

At the outbreak of the war all the uniformed companies then in the State volunteered for service; of these two in Detroit reorganized for home duty, the Detroit Light Guard, Scott Guard, while the Lyon Guard, also in Detroit, was raised and mustered for that duty, and all served in the State during the war. These companies were held in readiness to quell any disturbances in the community, and rendered valuable service in that respect and in guarding against raids by Southern rebel refugees from the borders of Canada, threatened from time to time to be made on Detroit and along the frontier line. They also aided much in sustaining a confidence of security of life and property among the inhabitants, especially while the raids referred to were being threatened.

The war had thrown a damper on home service, and but little progress was made in organizing companies, but few seeking admission, so that from the commencement of the war up to 1873 only six companies had been received into service. In that year an allowance of uniform was made by the State, which gave some impetus to military affairs, and in 1874 they had increased to sixteen companies, sufficient from which to organize the 1st Regiment, Colonel W. H. Withington, of Jackson, and the 2nd, Colonel I. C. Smith, of Grand Rapids.

About this time the State commenced to look upon the military in a more favorable light, and in 1875 authority was given by the Legislature to levy for its support in each year a tax of ten cents per capita on the preceding vote for Governor, and during 1875 eight companies more were accepted and mustered into service, when the organization of the Third Regiment, Colonel O. F. Lochhead, of Flint, was accomplished.

In 1879 the tax was made three and one-half cents per capita on the last preceding census. These allowances gave a new life to the military of the State, and a recognition and encouragement so long denied.

On July 15th of that year, a brigade was formed of the

three regiments with Brigadier-General W. H. Withington as Commander. Up to this time the pressure for the admission of companies had been strong and urgent, and sufficient had been accepted to warrant the organization of a battalion of four companies at Detroit in 1882, in command of Lieut. Colonel Eugene Robinson. In the meantime a battalion of two companies, taken from the Third Regiment, had been made up at Marquette to be commanded by the ranking Captain; it was, however, soon broken up and the companies again merged in the Third Regiment. In 1885 six additional companies were admitted and assigned to the First Battalion, which was then designated as the Fourth Regiment, with Colonel Robinson commanding.

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Thus it will be seen that the State troops now consist of four regiments of infantry formed into a brigade. They are well officered, armed and equipped, and ready for any service. comparison of their present condition with that of a few years ago exhibits a degree of rapid and substantial improvement in all that pertains to their organization, discipline and drill; while it is most satisfactory to notice that, at all times, when their services have been required, they have been rendered in such a manner as to receive the approval of the civil authorities and the people of the communities where they have been on duty; and that they are now recognized as a permanent part of the State government, creditable, effective and reliable, receiving the countenance and support of the people of the State.

THE EARLY LEGISLATION OF MICHIGAN.

INSERTED BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR,

HON. ALPHEUS FELCH.

It was my fortune to be a member of the first and second Legislatures of the State of Michigan. The first Constitution of the State was adopted by a vote of the people on the first Monday of October, 1835. Under its provisions the Governor and members of the first Legislature were elected the same day, and the first session of the Legislature was held on the second day of November following. The meeting took place at Detroit, in the building erected by the United States for the Territorial Council, and which, for twelve years afterwards, served the State for its legislative halls.

Here the first Legislature was organized and the official oath administered to its members. Here in joint assembly of the two houses the votes for Governor and Lieutenant Governor were canvassed, and they took the official oath prescribed by the Constitution. Here the State organization was perfected. Here a new Commonwealth had its birth and waited only the action of Congress to take its place in the galaxy of States which, together, constitute the great American Nationality. I scarcely need to say that the occasion was one of great interest to the people of Michigan. The initiatory government of a territorial organization was about to cease. The days of pupilage were maturing into the freedom of manhood, and visions of the glorious future of the new State were bright before every eye. A Constitution prepared by delegates of their own choosing and adopted by their own free votes was henceforth to be their fundamental law, and under it legislative and executive officers of their own selection were to be the guardians of their common interests.

More than fifty years have passed since the proud day to which I refer, and you will not wonder that one who participated in its events, and whose bosom glowed with the ardor