Draft Documents by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1865

Draft Documents.

By James White

WE have prepared a set of books and papers for those who may be drafted from the Seventh-day Adventist churches, and wish to pay the $300 commutation money, a privilege granted non-combatants by the Seventeenth Section of the Enrolment Law.

These books and papers constitute general proofs as to the just claims of our denomination to the immunities secured by law to those who are conscientiously opposed to bearing arms, or engaging in war, and should be on file at the Provost Marshal's office in every Congressional District where our people are located. Besides these there are particular proofs which each drafted man must make as suggested in the slip of directions which we furnish with the general proofs.

A word as to the expense of these documents. Should one hundred sets be ordered, one half of them to be used out of the State, the expenses would be about $300. Those used out of the State have to be taken to the County Clerk, thirteen miles, to receive his certificate.

If we had supposed the little tract, entitled the Draft, issued at this Office in 1864, sufficient for this time, we should not have been to the trouble and expense of preparing the general proofs we now offer. Those who order them to be used out of the State of Michigan, will please enclose the sum of $4,00 for a set. Those in the State may enclose the sum of $3,50.

Those who rely on former proofs, will do so at their own risk. Those drawn in the Third District of Michigan will please call on Dan R. Palmer, Jackson, before reporting. J. W.