Editor's Note: Nicholas I's justification for this decree provides confirmation that Jews, not surprisingly, were resisting military service in his reign. The term 'in arrears' comes from the fact that conscription was looked at as a levy or tax; to be 'in arrears' meant to be avoiding supplying the young Jewish males for military service. This decree is also designated as the punishment decree in Levanda #675.
On collecting from Jewish communities, for each recruit in arrears during the prescribed period, on top of the missing, yet three more men from this same community.
Taking note of the continual disorder and arrears in supplying recruits, the following is commanded for
Jewish communities: henceforth, for each recruit in arrears during the prescribed period, to collect,
on top of the missing, three more men from this same community, not younger than the age of 20 years.
(V.P.S.Z. Vol. XXV, No. 24,768).
