A Mousing Letter Well Answered

THE OFFICIAL LETTER.

ILLINOIS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION,

SPRINGFIELD, Jan., 23, 1862.

Dear Sir:– I am instructed by the Committee on Military Affairs to enclose you a copy of the subjoined resolution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention, Now in session in this city, and to request your immediate answer; in order that the Committee may report to the convention at an early day.  In responding to this communication, I am instructed to request you to make such suggestions as your observation and experience may dictate with reference to the present and future comfort of your command.

I have the honor to by, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JAMES W. SINGLETON.

Chairman of Com. on Military Affairs.

THE RESOLUTION.

Resolution, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire whether the soldiers sent into the field from this State, have been and continue to be provided for in all respects as the troops sent into the field from other States have been provided for; and if the Committee find that the Illinois troops have not been thus provided for, that they be instructed to inquire further, whether the neglect is justly chargeable to any person or persons holding office under this State, and to report the fact to this Convention.

AND THE REPLY IT GOT.

PADUCAH, Ky., Feb. 16, 1862.

James W. Singleton, Esq. Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, Springfield, Ill.

DEAR SIR:  Your circular, dated January 23, 1862, enclosing a resolution of the Illinois Constitutional Convention, came to had to-day.  Should I give you the information the resolution calls for, I should make as great an ass of myself as the Convention has of you by asking you to attend to that which is none of your business, and which is also not the business of the Convention.  If I am rightly informed, you were elected to make a Constitution for the State of Illinois.  Why in h-ll don’t you do it?  Comparing the equipments of the soldiers of the several States is about as much your business as it would be my business to inquire into the sanity of the members of the Convention.  Suppose the facts are as your resolution seems to imply – that we are not as well equipped and armed as soldiers from the other States – can you, as a member of that Convention be of any service to us?  But I know and you know that the resolution was for a different purpose – a purpose for which every member of the Convention should blush with shame – to make political capital.

If the Committee on Military Affairs are so very anxious to exhibit their ability in inquiring into war matters, I would suggest, as the resolution permits me to make suggestions – that it inquire into the history of the Mormon War, in which its venerable chairman played so conspicuous a part.

I have the honor to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,

QUINCY McNEIL,

Major 2d Illinois Cavalry.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 1, 1862, p. 1