Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-06-06
COMMISSIONING, orrrnr


WILMINoToN, DEL, April 4, 1865.
Sir:
We, the suhscribers John Parsons James
q. NAPLES, and Major W. Allen, Commissioners
Of the State Of Delaware, and disbursers of the
appropriation of the legislature for the benefit
Of Volunteers and Drafted men, by virtue of an
act entitled IAN net to relieve the people of
the State from Draft" passed at Dover. Fsbru.
airy 10Th, 1865, respectfully represent. Thai 4,
pursuance Of said not we eutcred upon onr
duties An arrangement which had been in ex.
istence under previous laws, for about a wear
with Capt Wilmer, Provost Marshal OF Della
ware, was, by mutual consent, oontinprd
whereby he agreed to FIJI up certain blanks
furnished by this board, certifying 10 faots. IN
uer cur law necessary for tho proper disburse-
ment OF the Aforesaid fund. Daring the 6liny
VI tue present quota, there was, as we believe nu
attempt by certain substitute brokers. to evade
the spirit aud intent Of the said law, viz: by
drafted men becoming substitutes for each other
lu these cases, for cur own security, and for the
true performance Of our duty, we refused. for
tue tine berg, to pay the State aid, until legal
afvce could be Obtained as 10 the proper con
sirucuon ol the law; upon this refusal. Cant
winner, FrovoiI Marshal. opened q correspond
tnce WIN this BOard, which correspondence is
now ia the possession of General Fry from
Whch lie (Capt Wimer) by forced and, as
"eaiNNNi "a ouuEnl CONSTRUCTION, com Dlniued
that there had been ''ri Election upon the honor
aud integrity Of the Board Of Eurolment.n -
winch we positively deny. and aver that no such
intention could be reasonably inferred from such
communication, and returned to this Board tbe
blanks heretofore furnished them aud refused
TO give said certificates to this Board.
We may here say, that upon consultation with
TWO eminent lawyers of this State, we have re.
ce.Ved written opinion from them, fully sus.
talnlng us IN cur course, aud advising as that
uhder proper and legal construction of the
law under which we act, we were mot antbore
ized TO draw warrants on the Treasury. ia the
cases above named
Ihe returning Of the certificates as above
mentioned, did not materially affect the action
Of this Board
we continued to pay upon an affidavit attach
ed TO a true copy Of the certificate Of exemption
furnished by the Board Of Enrolment
On Saturday last, for the further purpose. as
we believe, to prevent the action Of this Board.
.ae BOARD oil Enrolment, Mt tho instigation. and
by the order, as we believe, of Cant. Wiimer
Presiding officer Of said Board Of Enrichment re'
fused positively, to give to o drafted man fnr-
nlshing an acceptable substitute certi6eata of
exemption tbeiug form No. 3U4 blank forrs,
TO which certificate, We believe, the said droffed
person 30 furnishing nm acceptable slt,l,.l.. h.
justly entitled, (and which heretofore has aiwavs
oeeh glVenl II not by direct order of your de-
pariment' at least by all right and custoni..
ihls last order and refusal On the part of Can't
Wilmer, Provost Marshal is deterring, to some
extent, lhe furnishing Of substitutes, and is pro-
dnclng want Of confidence in the autborities
among those who, having furnished substitutes
nave been refused their proper exemption pa
persI winch VIII necessarily impede the opera
ton Of the laws, both Federal and State.
These facts we respectfully submit for the con-
sideration of the War Department, believing that
an Investigation ordered BY said Department
win result in compelling Capt. Wilmer, Provost
Marshal, to issue the proper certificates Of er-
emption to any drafted person who shall furnish
an acceptable substitute
We are, very respectfully.
Your obedisnt scryants.
tSigned) JonS FARsoN,
JAMES G. wAPLRs,
NJ. W. ALLEN.
Commissioners.