committees, was by them believed to be more than sufficient for the emergency. A considerable number of bridges having been destroyed, the State Board of Control took prompt measures to have them rebuilt, and made appropriations of swamp lands for that purpose. Being of the opinion that the gifts of a generous public could be more discreetly distributed by the committees, that it would be unwise to multiply agencies for that purpose, I have from time to time placed in their hands all moneys received by mewith the exception of $135, paid to the special object for which it was contributed. To the committee at Detroit I have paid $128,098.41, making the cash receipts of this committee $258,057.20; to Grand Rapids $28,643.09,-total money receipts of that committee, $71,976.66. So prompt and bountiful had been the donations, that, believing the people of Michigan would be unwilling to tax a generous public one moment longer than was necessary, a proclamation was issued by me early in January,-with the full concurrence of the committees,-in which I took occasion, in behalf of the State, to thank the public for their noble charity, by means of which, the sufferings of our citizens had been so greatly alleviated, and to announce that further contributions were unnecessary. The members of the several relief committees have devoted a very large amount of time and labor, at great personal sacrifice, to the difficult work imposed upon them, and have discharged the duties of this almost thankless task with fidelity and good judgment, and all without the slightest compensation, except such as always comes from a consciousness of having lightened the burdens of suffering humanity. I cannot close this notice of the great fires without grateful mention of the valuable favors and substantial service rendered by railroad, express, and telegraph companies. Freight in very large quantities, from almost every State in the Union, has been transported free of charge. The use of the telegraph wires has also been freely given for all relief business. Thousands of dollars have thus been saved to the relief fund. The people of Michigan can never forget or fail to express their high appreciation of the generosity and warm sympathy so nobly manifested by the old and the young, the rich and the poor, in behalf of our afflicted citizens. In closing this communication to you, the representatives of the people of the commonwealth, it has seemed to me fitting and proper that an official recognition should be made of our obligations to those who have done so much to obliterate from within our borders the evidences of a widespread and fearful calamity. HENRY P. BALDWIN. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Lansing, March 13, 1872. } |