as may be required for the purpose of this act, the some mentioned in the first section, or so much as may be necessary, at an interest not exceeding 6 per centrum per annum, payable semi-annually, on the first days of July and January in each year, and the principal reimbursable within twenty years after the 1st day of January, in the year 1863, at the discretion of the commissioners of the canal fund, and immediately payable, in whole or in part, upon the return of the whole or any part of such moneys by the United States, for the advances or aid furnished by this State under the provisions of this act; for which loans the said comptroller is hereby authorized and required to issue transferable certificates in such arms as he may deem proper.

March 5, 1862.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 57. Washington, March 17, 1862.

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3. Major General E. A. Hitchcock, of volunteers, having reported for duty, is assigned to special under the immediate direction of the Secretary of War.

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By order of the Secretary of War:

L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, March 17, 1862.

ISRAEL WASHBURN, JR.,

Governor, &c., Augusta, Me.:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant inclosing copy of resolves passed by the State Legislature relating to coast defenses in Maine. IN reply I have to inform you that the subject will receive the careful attention of the military authorities.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WASHINGTON, March 17, 1862.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: Before leaving [here] I take the opportunity of reducing to writing, [in] compliance with your request, the subject [which] this morning I briefly called to your attention. I am anxious that your Department should definitely determine whether it or the Executive of Maryland will exercise the power of appointing the regimental and company officers of the volunteers which have been raised and organized in that State. Some provisions in the act of Congress of 22nd of July last, as well as some contrariety of practice on the subject, leaves me in doubt as to where that power properly resides; and whilst it will be entirely agreeable to me that the War Department should continue to exercise this authority, yet if it is proposed (as has been recently suggested outside the Department) to devolve it upon the Executive of