Executive Department,
Albany, August 15,1863.
To Major-general John A. Dix, U.S.A.,
Commanding Department of the East:
Sir, — I have
received the final answer of the President to my suggestions with regard to the
draft in this State. I regret that he did not see fit to comply with my
requests, as I am confident that a generous reliance upon the patriotism of the
people to fill the thinned ranks of our armies by voluntary enlistments would
hereafter, as it has heretofore, prove more effectual than any conscription. As
I have fully expressed my views on this subject in my correspondence with the
President, of which I send you a copy, it is not necessary to refer again to
those topics.
I had hoped the same opportunity would be afforded New York
that has been given to other States, of showing to the world that no compulsory
process was needful to send from this State its full quota of men to re-enforce
our armies. As you state in your letter that it is your duty to enforce the act
of Congress, and as you apprehend its provisions may excite popular resistance,
it is proposed you should know the position which will be held by the State
authorities. Of course, under no circumstances can they perform duties
expressly confided to others, nor can they undertake to relieve others from
their proper responsibilities. But there can be no violations of good order, no
riotous proceedings, no disturbances of the public peace, which are not
infractions of the laws of the State, and those laws will be enforced under all
circumstances. I shall take care that all the executive officers of this State
perform their duties vigorously and thoroughly, and if need be the military
power will be called into requisition.
As you are an officer of the general Government, and not of
the State, it does not become me to make suggestions to you with regard to your
action under a law of Congress. You will, of course, be governed by your
instructions and your own views of duty; and it would be unbecoming in me to
obtrude my opinions upon one who is charged with high responsibilities, and who
is in no degree subject to my direction, or responsible to me for anything
which he may do in accordance with his own judgment and in pursuance of his
convictions of propriety.
Yours truly, etc.,
Horatio Seymour.
SOURCE: Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix,
Volume 2, p. 82
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