direction. I respectfully beg leave, to state that, not only for the reasons already assigned, but also that the rooms alluded to, viz:those occupied by the Auditor General and State Treasurer, are on the ground floor, and are consequently more convenient for the reception and storage of arms, &c., and at a very moderate expense, suitable and commodious gun sheds could be erected in the yard belonging to the building. Again, the government of the U. S. allow and authorize the ordnance department to deliver, free of expense to all the states and territories, their annual quota of arms, at any point lying on any of the navigable streams and rivers within said state and territory, at such particular point or place as the Executive of the same shall designate, and wherefore, in conformity with these regulations, the yearly quota due this state is generally delivered at this port, therefore the undersigned ventures to submit the expediency of retaining the state armory at Detroit, for the reasons already given, and for the greater convenience of reshipment of issues by water or transportation by railroad. In addition, the undersigned, since he has taken charge of this department, has had occasion to experience the great inconvenience of having part of the arms stored in the arsenal at Dearborn, for, notwithstanding the obliging disposition of the commanding officer or military store keeper at that post, still the state arms are but temporarily stored on one of the floors, with part of those belonging to the U. S., and the frequent issues and overhauling of the packages, and the opening and assorting the same has been found most inconvenient. Also, the expense incurred by the Quarter Master General, by his frequent journeys to the arsenal, and the hire of laborers for the overhauling of said packages, to make the issues at all seasons of the year, may be avoided by permission to occupy the rooms above alluded to. The undersigned concludes this report by quoting and urging Quarter Master General Williams' repeated request in his several reports, vix the propriety of placing at the disposal of this department a small sum of money for the payment of incidental expenses, such as cleaning and repairing arms, pay for laborers, cartage, drayage, &c. The sum need not be large, and would save much trouble and vexation, particularly as these disbursements are made |