Canada, Dominion. Authorization Letters for Prisoners Reporting for Military Service

WWI Canadian Authorization Letters for Prisoners Reporting for Military Service - The first letter is on the letterhead of the Ontario Executive Council Office, inscribed "Copy of an Order-in-Council approved by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, the 9th day of December, A.D. 1916. Upon consideration of the report of the Honourable the Attorney General, dated 8th December, 1916, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor by and with the advice of the Executive Council of Ontario, has been pleased to order, that it is hereby ordered, that one Sergeant Perrin, now confined in the County Gaol at Sarnia for an offence against The Ontario Temperance Act be released from custody and that the balance of his imprisonment be remitted on condition that before such release takes place an order of the Military authorities shall be made transferring the said Perrin from his position as a recruiting Officer at Sarnia elsewhere. Certified," and signed by the Clerk, Executive Council"; the second letter is on the letterhead of the Ontario Department of the Provincial Secretary, The Inspector of Prisons and Public Charities, dated October 24, 1917 at Toronto, inscribed "Sir, For your information I herewith enclose copy of a letter received from the Deputy Minister of Justice together with blank schedule to be filled in. The enclosures speak for themselves and I shall be glad to have the schedule filled in and returned here supplying the information up to and including Oct. 27th.., I Have the honour to be, Your obedient servant", with the signature stamp of Inspector W.W. Dunlop and date stamped by the Sheriff's Office of Lambton County on October 26, 1917; and the third letter is attached to the second letter via a pin, dated October 17th, 1917 at Ottawa, inscribed "Sir, I have the honour to inform you that the Minister of Justice considers, in view of the provisions of the Military Service Act 1917 and the proclamation which was published on the 13th instant that the convicts in the penitentiaries and provincial jails whose cases are not too serious to admit to any executive clemency and who are within the class called out should be required to report for military service, or to claim exemption within the period limited by the proclamation, and he has therefore directed the wardens of the penitentiaries to send immediately a schedule of the convicts in his penitentiary who are British subjects, and within the description of the class as to age and condition, specifying as to each the date and period of sentence, character of offence, whether he has received more sentences than one, and such further particulars and observations as may be useful in determining whether the particular convict is too dangerous or vicious to receive and clemency. When these reports come in it is intended to eliminate the latter cases, and have the remainder of these convicts examined. Those found physically qualified will then be required to report for military service, or apply for exemption. The Minister considers that the convicts in the Provincial Jails should be similarly dealt with and I am writing to inquiry whether you would give immediate direction to have lists of the inmates within the class called prepared and furnished in the same manner without delay in order that executive action may be taken with regard to those who are found qualified and not exempt under the procedure above indicated. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E.L. Newcombe, Deputy Minister of Justice." All are typewritten on off-white paper stock, two measuring 215 mm x 355 mm, the other measuring 215 mm x 278 mm, exhibiting light fold marks, the latter letter with one small stain to the left of the type, extremely fine.