Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-04
RECRUITING NEGROES IN REBEL STATES.
LETTER FROM GOV. PARKER.

The following letter from the Governor of New Jersey
relative to recruiting negroes in the Insugen States in
order to avoid tie draft at the North explains itself:
STATE OF NEW JERSEY,
E1ecutiDe Department, Trenton July %, 1864.
Messrs G W. Bonnel, B. Picket, and Wm. Baum, Town
ship Committee of the Township of Alexandria, in the
| county of Hunterdon.
/ GENTLEMEN: have received your petition recon-
mendng " ism H. Dawes suitable person to recruit
for your township the rebel States aud requesting
to give him the proper credentials
have concluded to comply with your request and will
give him letter that will procure his recognition by the
United States officials of the department to which he de-
res 90, the agent not of the State of New jersey
but of the Township of Alexandria Tbs he may
crut will credited to township, and he must look
to you for compensation for bis services.
The law of Congress authorizing the State Executive to
appoint agents recruit in the rebeou States leaves it
optional with each Executive to determine what to
adopt In the exercise of that discretion have decided
not to appoint such agents for the State of New Jersey
The Legislature has not entrusted with money for the
purpose of paying bountes deayng the expenses Of
such agents and even if had control of funds Tor such
purposes have no power to authorize recruiting outside
the limits of the State of New Jersey. Such power if it
resides any where vested 10 the Government of the Uni
ted States The General Government has heretofore
ercsed that power, and am at loss to understand why
Congress should ask the Executives of the States recruit
outside of their Jurisdiction while within the State limits
the whole business of recruiting has been assumed by the
General Government When appoint agent to trans
act for the State of New Jersey expect pro-
him while in the discharge of his duties cannot
States My letter of authority would not their
| treatment a prisoners OF war
think it will be found that but few recruits be OBJ
tanned in the rebel States The New York Times of this
morning alleges that men cannot now be had there and
gives this the opinion of Generals Grant and Sherman
aud counses that should not rely upon filling quota
from that source, and thereby neglect recruiting else
where.
i am satisfied that the Union army would today be
stronger both in numbers and efficiency, if the Govern
ment had never recruited the rebel States The emanc
! atian The Arnin nF tha
negroes while adding to the desperation of the enemy,
and building up an almost nsurmountabe barrier to the
terms of paccaon quenched the spirit Of volunteering
among the people of the North Soon after these
adopted it thought necessary to pass
conscrption act although but few weeks previous to
this radical change of policy the Chairman of the Military
Committee the United States Senate advised against the
acceptance of volunteers then ocking in regiments
standard.
The great change wrought by this policy demonstrated
by the present almost unanimous desire Of the people TO
keep Of the army and the running to and fro of nearly
the whole population t. upon any expedeu to avoid
personal military service, regarding not the fitness of the
substitute, if the certificate of exemption procured
So long the governmental policy dshesrens such
extent successful issue cannot be expected To insure
the people should have heart in the struggle be
willing to do their fighting, and not pace their
lance on distinct and inferior There be
sufficient number of negro troops In the army to CON-
pensste for the injury done the Union by armng
them.
Each district espnnsbe for it's own quota Of men,
and recognise the right Of the people of each district to
raise their own men in their way. will not there
FORE nterpose my individual opinion in opposition to the
will Of tue people Of any locality TO prevent them from
awaiting themselves Of the law Of Congress TO gil their
quota aud avoid draft Without any knowledge desire,
or action on my part, have been made the medium
through whom the people, who desire to recruit in this
way, may attain the object; and WILL petition of the
proper authorities Of any give to such person
ss may be named credentials to procure recognition from
the United States authorities The power of such agents
to recruit derived from the law OF Congress- and the
General Government they must look for protection,
hope that all the districts in this State will be able to fill
the quota with volunteers aud that there may be further
drafting in New Jersey.
/ am, very respectfully, your obedient servant
JOEL PARKER,