Details
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM, President. Letter signed ("A. Lincoln") as President, with initialed postscript, to New York Governor Horatio Seymour, Washington, D.C., 24 August 1863. 2 pages, 4to, on lined Executive Mansion stationery, docketed on verso, written on pages one and three of a four-page sheet, very lightly browned, separation at central fold repaired from verso.
ADJUSTING THE NEW YORK DRAFT CALLS, IN THE WAKE OF THE DRAFT RIOTS
Just six weeks after the New York City draft riots, President Lincoln attempts to resolve a difference of opinion concerning the proper tabulation of enlistees furnished under the recent draft calls: "...[T]he Provost-Marshall-General has had access to yours, and have addressed a communication in relation to it to the Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton], a copy of which communication, I herewith enclose to you [not present]. Independently of this, I addressed a letter on the same subject, to the Secretary of War, a copy of which I also enclose to you [not present]. The Secretary has sent my letter to the Provost-Marshall-General, if there be such...
In his postscript, Lincoln adds: "I do not mean to say that if the Provost-Marshall-General can find it practicable to give credits by sub-districts, I over-rule him in that. On the contrary I shall be glad of it; but I will not take the risk of over-burthening him by ordering him to do it..." Not in Basler, and apparently unpublished.
Horatio Seymour (1810-1886), a Democrat, served several terms as Governor beginning in 1852. Although he opposed the Emancipation Proclamation and the Enrollment Act (draft) of 1863 as unconstitutional, he "was tireless in filling up the states' quotas in the Union army" (DAB). He played an important role in restoring order to New York City after the draft riots, but in the 1864 presidential election was an active supporter of General George MacClellan.
ADJUSTING THE NEW YORK DRAFT CALLS, IN THE WAKE OF THE DRAFT RIOTS
Just six weeks after the New York City draft riots, President Lincoln attempts to resolve a difference of opinion concerning the proper tabulation of enlistees furnished under the recent draft calls: "...[T]he Provost-Marshall-General has had access to yours, and have addressed a communication in relation to it to the Secretary of War [Edwin M. Stanton], a copy of which communication, I herewith enclose to you [not present]. Independently of this, I addressed a letter on the same subject, to the Secretary of War, a copy of which I also enclose to you [not present]. The Secretary has sent my letter to the Provost-Marshall-General, if there be such...
In his postscript, Lincoln adds: "I do not mean to say that if the Provost-Marshall-General can find it practicable to give credits by sub-districts, I over-rule him in that. On the contrary I shall be glad of it; but I will not take the risk of over-burthening him by ordering him to do it..." Not in Basler, and apparently unpublished.
Horatio Seymour (1810-1886), a Democrat, served several terms as Governor beginning in 1852. Although he opposed the Emancipation Proclamation and the Enrollment Act (draft) of 1863 as unconstitutional, he "was tireless in filling up the states' quotas in the Union army" (DAB). He played an important role in restoring order to New York City after the draft riots, but in the 1864 presidential election was an active supporter of General George MacClellan.