Letter from James Stewart to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; August 25, 1862

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Letter from James Stewart to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; August 25, 1862

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People

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Stewart, James Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, 1819-1901

Events

Confederate States of America--Draft Military Events--Military service exemption Political Office--Appointment to office

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia

Places

England--Liverpool England--London Europe Great Britain India Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Jefferson County. Rodney

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Immigrants

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[seal]

Rodney Miss 25^th Aug^t 1862

Sir,

I am a Scotchman by birth & a subject of the Sovereign of Great Britain. I have resided here & in the City of New Orleans for several years—I have never sought to exercise any of the rights of a Citizen—I was doing business here as thousands of Americans are doing in Liverpool & other portions of Her Majestys dominions, claiming under the laws of Nations the protection of life & property so long as I obeyed the laws of this Country & nothing more.—I addressed Your Excellency last spring in reference to the Miltia laws & received a reply that I might be called upon to defend this state & to do service in any portion of the state.—The Acting Consul in New Orleans gives it as his opinion "that this State has no right to make Foreign Citizens do military duty here especially in a Civil War like this"

The Militia Officers claim my attendance at drills & I know not the moment I may be called upon to fight a Nation with which my Government is at peace. I am told I have the Option to leave or become a Citizen of the C. S. under the President's proclamation—I did not so understand the proclamation, & I deny the right of passing such a proclamation—I understand it simply to refer to Citizens of the C. .S. who are residing in the South & want to be the subjects of friendly powers who are quietly persuing their Calling & upholding obedience to the laws of the C S and the State of Missi—It is my intention to go to Europe so soon as I can get my business in such a way that I can leave the winding up of.

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of it to my Friends here.—By the influence of friends in London my name has been placed on the Civil list for an appointment in India, & I know not but at the present moment I am in Her Majesty's Service. I love the South & the people of the South, but my expectations in London could be destroyed were I to violate Her Majesty's proclamation of Neutrality, & rather than do so I will leave the Country at once at the Sacrifice of all I have if Your Excellency places the option before me,

Your Excellency's
very Obt Servant
James Stewart

His Excellency
John J. Pettus
Governor of Mississippi
Jackson
Miss

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James Stewart wishes to be exempt from bearing arms because he is a subject of Great Britton

30^thAug
Ans All foreigns permanently re-siding hear are subject to enroll-ment. Obey the order or leave