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New York County Substitute & Relief Committee

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 300.00 USD
New York County Substitute & Relief Committee
<B>New York County Substitute & Relief Committee </B>(NY) 1863. #278. "Certificate in favor of Drafted Member of the Active Militia Force of the State in this City, showing that he has obtained a Substitute and that he is entitled to have the Money therefore paid by the Comptroller". Signed by <b>William M. Tweed</b> as supervisor. <B>VF+</B>. <BR>    The Union Conscription Act of March 3, 1863, provided that all able-bodied males between the ages of 20 and 45 were liable to military service, but that a drafted man who furnished an acceptable substitute and paid the government $300 was excused. This touched off serious and bloody riots in New York City from July 13-16, 1863. In August the draft was peacefully resumed. Tweed's new Tammany city government voted to pay the $300 for anyone who might be drafted. Tweed had just become head of New York City's political machine in 1863. By 1868, "Boss" Tweed's Tammany Hall organization controlled most of the city and state government and was bloated with corruption.