, 1863-06-11

Letter from the british Consul, on the
Alien Question.

Letter from the British Consul, on the
Alien Question.
The Provost Ma1sha1's office is now thor
oughly arranged, and the Commissioner Of
Enrolment, with his staff of enrolling officers,
is busily ut work In the pursuance Of his du-
tics, In some Of the wards great difficulties
arc met with, as there are combinations to pre-
rent the officers from obtaining any .informa-
ton. In the Seventh Ward, the enrolling off,
Gers, day or two since, were attacked by
irish women armed with stones and shovels,
but in the face Of these demonstrations the en-
rolling was kept up, and will be kept up in
spite Of all attacks. Ample arrangements hare
been made to prevent attack, and the officers
will proceed firmly and fearless1y with their
duty. The enrolment viii probably be fin
iehed this month and forwarded to Washing
| ton
In this connection the following letter from
Her Ma5esty's Consul, J. Edward Wilkins,
| will he found Of interest:
MADISON. Wis, June G, 1868.
]. L. MI1l1KkH, Esq:
| When In the interview had with you yester.
tod me- 1aat tR some localities n yoas
an unwilIingnees on the part Of the inhabitants,
and especially Of come Of foreign BIRTH to give the
oa s yonf hs a a nj
surprise me, as this un@ilnEness has beer a
fruitful source Of complaint aud embarrassment in
last year, Of which 90 faz al British subjects are
concerned, hare had eeme experience.
Tou were kind enough TO say that, IL anything oc-
you In your endeayots to lessenthe ineonvenience.
Jon would be glad to hearfeon me.
have no hesitation IN saying that, in the major
neglect refusal OF British subjects to afford the
information required by the enrolling ot1csr, this
has proceeded from Ignorance Of their duty. and
mfeapprehension OF the legal effect Of the enroll
ment. They think that By allowing their names to
be placed on the enrolmeut lists they thereby de.
sSe a41a Of ts the.5
in mote than one State the unwlingness to enroll
even On the part Of those inhabitants (both Amert
clsim exemption, gave riee 10 80 much inconveni-
ence thas ole1s "ete issued to enforce this
In my replies to applications On this subject,
state that Ill residents Of each Congressional dis
tr!ct m9st comply with the regulations prescribing
After they have done this those who wish to claim
exemption on the ground Of their nliensse should
1ee. no time In furnishing sneh evidence Of their
1ne United States authodties. and that
during the recent draft for the
have subjected themselves to much cmbnTrsss-
1nent and hare given much unnecessary trouble to
their exemption At the proper time and in proper
! manner. Cases have come before me, WHERE after
a full explanation Of their duty British subjects
Such can hare no inst ground Of complaint ii they
are subjected to inc0nveniencc for the breach Of
thlf. as Of any other municipal regulation
think. also, that 1t would be best that the time
at which those claiming exemption on account Of
their alentgc are expected TO come forward to
| do so, ehould be made generally known. M un-
domicicd IN the District are In 1nty bound to afford
to the enrolling officer the information he re.
Qufrce but that no one il expected to put forward
any claim Of exemption unless 1t has been notified
to him that uniees he can show right to be ex-
empscd, lie will be mustered Into thsmilltary serE
Ice of the United States,
lam youre, very respectfully.
j. EpEARD WnK1N5,
H, B. H. Consul,