Letter from R. A. Hill to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; June 19, 1865

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Letter from R. A. Hill to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; June 19, 1865

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People

Hill, R. A.Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873 Thomas, Unknown

Events

Appointment to office Conventions Conventions--Mississippi. Convention (1861)Criminal Procedure--Arrest Political elections Secession

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army United States. Army

Organizations and Businesses

Courts Courts--Chancery Courts Courts--Circuit Courts Probate courts

Occupations

Clerks Judges Lawyers Police

Places

Jacinto (Miss.)Tishomingo County (Miss.)

Page 1

[seal]

Jacinto Miss, June 19^th 1865.

To His Excellency W L Sharkey
Provisional Govenor of the state of Mississippi.

Highly respected sir

I have just learned of your appointment; and permit me to say from the best information, no other could have given such general satisfaction, which promises well for a speedy and safe return of our state to her proper place in Union. Having agreed with you, as to ^the^ ruin which the course persued by those wishing to seperate from the best goverment in the world, would produce, and now that ^the^ issue has been determined in favour of our honest connections, it is reasonable, that I should be willing to aid you as far as in my power to restore law and order to our almost ruined state.

Permit me to give you a brief statement of the condition of our County Officers, and ask instructions as to what course to persue

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I have been acting as Probate Judge since Jan 1859, so has the Clerk of the Court, the County Officers elected in 1860, were all qualified before the Ordnance of Secession was passed, consequently were sworn to support the Constitution of the United States, no election was held in 1862, all holding over, I did not think it proper to swear them to support the Constitution of the Confederate States, as we were permitted by the Federal Officers to hold our Courts and transact our local business in our own way, so that we done nothing prejudicial to the United States, an election was held in 1864. When the Officers were qualified, we were between the two armies, I did not think it prudent to swear them only to support the Constitution of the State &c. After the Confederate army withdrew from the county, I applied to Gen Thomas then commanding this department for permission to continue our county organization under the former restrictions, and obtained the same, and under which we have continued

Page 3

to discharge our duties; if any orders to the contrary have been made, we have not been notified of it, We have preserved our records, which are important, and should be preserved and taken care of, Many estates need being taken care of, the laws being enforced would greatly relieve the military department, the Circuit and Chancery Courts having been suspended for so long a time, many think we have no law, and act accordingly. As a lawyer I am at a loss to know what course to advise, unless I know what policy will be adopted for putting the machinery again in motion. The Conservators of the Peace, do not know whether to arrest offenders or not.

Those who were elected are perhaps as good officers as could be selected and I suppose would qualify under such orders as you may make

A revival of our Circuit and Chancery Courts would do much toward restoring order

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If it is not asking too much of you, I will recieve it as an especial favour to be informed of what course to persue myself, and for the direction of the other County Officers, who are governed by my advice at present

With the most sincere desire for your success, in the important duties devolving on you

I remain your obedient servant

R. A. Hill

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Jacinto Miss
June 19^th 1865

R. A. Hill
Judge Probate

asking information about county officers

answer that the proc-lamation set forth the policy & plan to be followed