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The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
If clergyman cannot get a substitute, or pay the $300, he should suffer for conscience sake. About one in seven shall be called. We should raise money by general subscription (Ohio may have three such).
ISBN
KMcI 630729b
Date
7-29-1863
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Bedell, church
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to Bishop Bedell" (1863). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 104.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/104
Rights Statement
Transcript
Bp: M
about drafting
Cinc. July 29 /63
Aug 4
My dear Bishop
In regard to drafted clergy I have carefully considered your suggestions. When a clergyman is conscientiously opposed to going into the ranks to take part in fighting, + cannot get a substitute or pay the $300 or get it paid for him, I hold he should stand it out + suffer if need be for conscience’ sake. The [expediency] at least of clergymen’s being so engaged, except in cases of extreme emergency is such it amounts to a general rule that it is wrong. But can nothing be done to alleviate the cases of draft among our clergy? If about one in 7 shall be called for I calculate that after leaving out all of our men that are overage or except by [?] disabilities, about five will be drafted. Of these some can pay or get paid the $300. We may have three to provide for, + I believe the shortest way is to proceed at once to raise the needful sum by general subscription. My son may be drafted, + I should pay his 300-
I expect to go to Church tomorrow + will see the Gov. + get what information I can.
Yours affectionately,
C.P.M.
You ask about my postage account. I don’t know why the difference - I keep an account of all strictly diocesan postage, that is for letters about diocesan [?] strictly, excluding all other. I do not remember what it was, as when I sent it to Mr. [Wharting] I destroyed the memoranda + have not a copy of the Journal. I believe it was about #12.