From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from David H. Gregg to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, discussing an article that appeared in the Pilot newspaper, the author of which used the pseudonym "Veritas." The article made allegations against an unnamed candidate for the office of superintendent of the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Gregg believes that the article was aimed at him, and he claims that the author is Thomas Sturgis, former clerk of the penitentiary. Gregg denies the charges and asks Alcorn to rely on the word of those who have endorsed him for the position.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, reporting to Alcorn that the Senate had confirmed the nominations for municipal officers of Summit in Pike County, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, informing Alcorn of the Senate's confirmation of his nominations for county officers in Warren, Carroll (Duck Hill and Winona, which are currently in Montgomery County), and Lowndes Counties, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from M. J. McDonald in Neshoba County, Mississippi, to Mississippi Lieutenant Governor R. C. Powers, stating his objection to the men who have been appointed to offices in Neshoba County. McDonald questions whether the appointees are "died [sic] in the wool," or rooted in their political convictions. He also makes a request that he be notified before an appointment is made for the position of superintendent of free schools.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Report from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, noting the Senate's confirmation of several county officers from June 2, 1870.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from S. S. Calhoun to P. B. Starke, making a inquiry concerning a request for a pardon of an African American man named Robert Brown, who was sent to the Mississippi State Penitentiary while Stark was a district attorney. Calhoun notes that Brown is considered to be a good candidate for executive clemency and is of good character as told by everyone who knows him. Calhoun goes on to say that Brown had allegedly killed another African American man who seduced either Brown's sister or niece, with whom Brown was squabbling. However, this evidence was not presented to the jury during trial. Calhoun makes a plea to have Brown released from prison.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, informing Alcorn of the Senate's confirmation of his nominations for county officers in Choctaw, Scott, and Jasper Counties, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, informing Alcorn of the Senate's confirmation of his nominations for county officers in Copiah, Greene, Washington, Yazoo, Holmes, and Tunica Counties, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Robert E. Seacleman and W. B. Snowden, members of the Mississippi Legislature, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, providing recommendation and support for O. H. Whitfield to be appointed as the chancellor of the Monroe County, Mississippi, chancery district.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Petition from several citizens to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, in support of the appointment of O. H. Whitfield to the office of chancellor of the Monroe County, Mississippi, chancery district. In the letter the petitioners state they were formerly O. H. Whitfield's enslaved persons. They claim to have known him from his childhood and that, since they have been freed, he has done all he can to help secure their rights.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Thomas McCarren and Geo. B. McNamara to R. J. Mathews. A reply written to Mathews concerning the case of William Hanlan (also known as Michael Hanlan). The letter states that Hanlan and the man whom he was charged with shooting served in the same military unit stationed in Columbus, Mississippi, in August of 1867. Both men were drunk from liquor and got into a quarrel. Hanlan went to his tent to get his rifle and shot Beau, another man, and was then turned over to local authorities in Columbus.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from T. V. Noland at Woodville, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, recounting from memory the case of Res. Smith and stating that the two counts of larceny and burglary were weighed against Smith circumstantially. Although Smith was in possession of some of the items, Noland believes he most likely did not steal them. Noland states that Smith should be pardoned as he has fully atoned for his crime.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from W. H. Fitz-Gerald at Charleston, Mississippi, to P. B. Starke, recounting the case of an African American man named Henry White who was convicted of rape in May 1867. Fitz-Gerald claims that White and the woman whom he was charged with raping had previously had consensual intercourse except for the night in question, where he forced himself upon her against her will. Fitz-Gerald states that although White is legally guilty, Fitz-Gerald believes that there were "extenuating circumstances" and that the sentence imposed was too great.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from H. S. Van Eaton at Woodville, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, recounting the case of Elisha Boker and stating that he ought to have never been convicted, stating that the prosecutor had gone to the cabin of Boker looking for a woman that was staying there. When Elisha came out, the prosecutor tried to attack Elisha with a long piece of iron. Van Eaton claims Elisha defended himself with a knife, cutting the prosecutor. Van Eaton also accuses the witnesses in the case, all African Americans, of being prejudiced against Boker. Van Eaton requests executive clemency for Boker.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from James R. Chalmers at Austin, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, recounting details of the Isaac Franklin case and that he thought for what Franklin was sentenced his going to the Mississippi State Penitentiary was a hardship.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from John Butts to R. J. Matthews, explaining that one of his bags had been stolen in Vicksburg, Mississippi, from the porter, and that part of the contents of his bag were found in the possession of John Thomas, who had been convicted of receiving stolen goods. Butts believes that Thomas has made amends for his part in the crime and deserves to be released. Butts also states that he had promised Thomas last year that he would do all that he could to help him but had not had an opportunity to do so.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from James T. Coleman at Vicksburg, Mississippi, replying to an inquiry concerning the case against Parker Lacey. Coleman believes an injustice had been done by the conviction of Lacey, arguing that a companion of Lacey had been swindled out of some money and when Lacey went to recover the money from the alleged swindlers, they had Lacey arrested. Coleman believes that Lacey was convicted because he is an African American man and the alleged swindlers are white, and that Lacey's punishment was far beyond his offense.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Thomas Reed to R. J. Mathews, concerning an inquiry into the case of Tim (or Jim) Carter who had been convicted of stealing a mule and sentenced to one year in the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Reed explains that the prosecution failed to positively identify the mule Carter had supposedly stolen, and believes that the jury convicted him just for being in possession of a mule. Reed also explains that Judge Smiley had not taken the oath, and therefore the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case and thus Carter was being held without cause and should be released.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from H. Murphy to R. J. Mathews, recounting the details of the case of Isham Walton, whom he defended, and stating that Walton was convicted of assault with the intent to kill. According to witnesses, Walton was said to have been holding a gun carelessly when it went off by accident. Murphy states that he believes the punishment for Walton was unjust. There is also a statement at the end of this letter from W. L. Walton pleading for the release of Isham Walton.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from J. M. Pearson at Carrollton, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, concerning the 1868 case of an African American man named Allison Bibb, as Pearson was assigned to defend Bibb. Pearson makes the case for Bibb to receive clemency.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Message from Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn to both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature, stating that he is returning to them House Bill 244 without his approval, and defines reasons for this action.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter to R. J. Mathews, responding to Mathews's request for information concerning the Anderson Beacham case, in which Beacham was charged with arson for burning the home of Wash Ford. The letter goes on to say that Beacham was convicted upon circumstantial evidence.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Owen McGarr at Vicksburg, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, concerning the Minor Coleman case tried before Judge Shackelford. McGarr states that the district attorney and most of the jury that convicted Coleman had subsequently signed a petition to have him pardoned during the summer of 1868, but for some reason then-Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames had not acted upon said petition. McGarr goes on to make a plea for Coleman to receive a pardon from Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter to R. J. Mathews, stating that the author could not recall the specifics of the case against Eliza Davis, other than she was charged with stealing several items amounting to $6.00 in value.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from George Potter, W. L. Sharkey, Jason Niles, and E. S. Fisher to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, endorsing O. H. Whitfield of Aberdeen, Mississippi, for the appointment to the office of chancellor for a judicial district.