William H. Seward to William Stuart, October 24, 1862

Mr. Seward to Mr. Stuart.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, and, so far as it relates to the liability of aliens who may have exercised the right of suffrage to military duty in this country, to state, in reply, that no doubt is entertained upon that point by this department. Aliens who exercise that right are considered as citizens of the States where they reside, and as such are within the purview of the law, which requires all such citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, with certain specific exemptions, as liable to be drafted into the militia. A person may be a citizen of a State, and, as such, entitled to vote therein without being a citizen of the United States.

I am, sir, your very obedient servant,