2013.069

Maier, Estate of Robert

Gift

Gift of Estate of Robert Maier by sister, Michelle Maier.

1864 - 1864

Date(s) Created: 1864 Date(s): 1864

Notes: Archives 2013.069.0021 To the Council of the City Hoboken The undersigned, residents of the city of Hoboken, respectfully represent: That they have been informed by your honorable body that about the sum of Forty-eight thousand dollars remains in the City Treasury, which was procured for the purpose of securing volunteers to fill the quota of our city, and thereby prevent the draft which has lately taken place, and that under the provisions of the Act enabling you to obtain this money you have no authority to pay it over to drafted men or substitutes. Your petitioners further represent, that they believe it to be the intention of the said Act, THAT THIS MONEY SHOULD BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURNISHING MEN to the Government; that by an indiscriminate distribution of said money among all the drafted men, they will be encouraged to pay commutation fees, rather than to enter the service themselves, or by substitutes. Your petitioners further represent, that it would be unjust and against the spirit of the law to put those who stay at home on an equal footing with those who either join the army themselves or actually obtain others to serve in their place ; that an early repetition of the draft would be sure to follow after such useless expenditure of the money; that the citizens would be subjected to unnecessary hardships ; and that by following such a course, you would bring upon yourselves a personal responsibility of the gravest character. Your petitioners therefore represent, that the only course open to you is to distribute this money among such drafted men as will either join the army or will provide substitutes to serve in their place, and would recommend such a course to be pursued by your honorable body. For the purpose of relieving your honorable body from the responsibility incurred by such a disposition of the money, your petitioners do hereby agree to aid and assist you in any application which may be made by you to the next Legislature for the approval of a law ratifying and confirming its expenditure in the manner above petitioned for ; and we do hereby consent that this application may be used as a petition presented by us to the Legislature for that object. And your petitioners will ever pray, etc. Dated June 4, 1864. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2013-12-23