Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

To Joel Parker1Jump to section

His Excellency Executive Mansion,
Gov. Joel Parker, Washington, July 25. 1863.

Sir. Yours of the 21st. is received; and I have taken time, and considered and discussed the subject with the Secretary of War, and Provost-Marshall General, in order, if possible, to make you a more favorable answer than I finally find myself able to do. It is a vital point with us to not have a special stipulation with the Governor of any one State, because it would breed trouble in many, if not all other states; and my idea was, when I wrote you, as it still is, to get a point of time, to which we could wait, on the reason that we were not ready ourselves to proceed, and which might enable you to raise the quota of your state, in whole, or in large part, without the draft. The points of time you fix, are much further off than I had hoped. We might have got along in the way I have indicated for twenty, or possibly thirty days. As it stands, the best I can say is, that every volunteer you will present us within thirty days from this date, fit and ready to be mustered into the United States service, on the usual terms, shall be, pro-tanto - - an abatement of your quota of the draft. That quota I can now state at eight thousand, seven hundred and eighty three, (8783). No draft from New Jersey, other than for the above quota, will be made before an additional draft, common to the States, shall be required; and I may add, that if we get well through with this draft, I entertain a

strong hope that any further one may never be needed. This expression of hope, however, must not be construed into a promise.

As to conducting the draft by Townships. I find it would require such a waste of labor already done, and such an additional amount of it, and such a loss of time, as to make it, I fear, inadmissible. Your Obt. Servt. A. LINCOLN

(Copy.)

P.S. Since writing the above getting additional information, I am enabled to say that the draft may be made in sub-districts, as the enrollment has been made, or is in process of making. This will amount practically to drafting by townships as the enrollment subdistricts, are generally about the extent of townships

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Annotation

[1]   ADf and copy, DLC-RTL. The draft is dated July 24, but the copy is dated July 25, and endorsed by Lincoln ``To Gov. Parker---July 25, 1863.'' The draft shows considerable revision in handwriting not Lincoln's. The copy does not follow the draft in all details and must have been made from Lincoln's final version. The text above follows the copy rather than the draft.

On July 21, Governor Parker had replied to Lincoln's letter of the 20th (supra):

``I feel quite confident that I can raise the 8000 men in sixty days, and I entertain little or no doubt that the men can be had in 90 days at the furthest.

``You speak . . . of New Jersey being behind 12000 men irrespective of those now ordered. . . . I can only say that New Jersey has sent in her own regiments more than the state has been required or authorized by the General Government to send. My only reason, however for alluding to this matter now is that I may be assured that if the 8000 men are raised in the time fixed upon, there will be no draft; that is, of course, none until a new call is made. No draft for the 12000.

``It would aid me very much . . . if I could assure the several Townships of the state that if any Township raised its quota, no draft would be made from such township. . . . All I desire on this point is that you will say that if a draft should be deemed to become necessary it should be conducted by Townships, if it is feasible so to do. The matters I desire information on are:

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Whether the time named in which to raise the 8000 men is satisfactory?

Am I to understand, then no draft is contemplated for the 12000 men?

[3]   If feasible, and if you should [find?] a draft to become necessary can it be made by Townships?'' (DLC-RTL).