New York City Draft Riot Damages Check. Partially printed check # 4291, issued to Robert C. Hutchings for $250, drawn on the Broadway Bank, New York, dated October 31st, 1863, signed by Matthew Brennan/Comptroller, for services as Secretary of Committee on Riot Damages. Also signed by the Mayor of New York City and the Clerk Board Superintendent (handwriting illegible). Blue printed lettering with Riot Damages in red ink on left edge printed vertically. Two holes in center of check indicate slash cancellation. Note: Riots broke out throughout the country following passage of President Lincoln's Conscription Act passed in March of 1863 which allowed men of means to avoid having to join the Union Army by hiring a substitute or paying a $300 fee. That summer, on July 13th, working class men in New York City, mostly Irish Americans, took to the streets for four days, leaving as many as 1,000 people dead, mansions and store fronts looted and burned down, while lynch mobs terrorized Blacks (who only later were conscripted into military service as soldiers). A colored orphan asylum was set on fire. Order was restored only after five regiments were sent in from Gettysburg armed with cannons and Gatling guns.Date: Country (if not USA): State: New YorkCity: New York CityProvenance: Bill McKivor Collection