Letter from A. K. Farrar to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; July 17, 1862

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Letter from A. K. Farrar to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; July 17, 1862

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People

Farrar, A. K.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Stockman, James W.

Events

Crime Crime--Lynching Crime--Theft Criminal Procedure--Imprisonment Emancipation and self emancipation Military Events--Insurrections Military Events--Military service exemption Starvation

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia United States. Army

Organizations and Businesses

Plantations Stanton & Stockman (Natchez, Miss.)

Occupations

Plantation overseers Police Provost Marshals

Places

Natchez (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans Enslaved people Enslavers

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[seal]

Provost Marshals Office
Natchez July 17^th 1862

To His Excellency
John. J. Pettus
Gov. State of Miss

Sir: The bearer of this James W. Stockman, of the firm of Stanton & Stockman of the City of Natchez, desires some information in behalf of himself and others, who are owners of the iron seized by me, and removed some 12 miles into the interior, according to your instructions. I have Certified to the Several accounts, of the several parties, and they desire that you shall render such assistance as may be in your power, to advance the payment of them by the proper authority:—

according to instructions which you gave me by telegraph, I have det-ailed militia men who are overseeing on plantations to do police and patrol duty upon the same. This is a matter of great importance to us here, as there is a great disposition among the Negroes to be insubordinate, and to run away and

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go to the federals. Within the last 12 months we have had to hang some 40 for plotting an insurrection, and there has been about that number put in irons. I appeal to you for assistance, for I do assure you that if the Overseers are taken ^off^ this County will be left in a condition that will be by no means safe. I do not wish to exempt them from entire service, I only want to keep them until an emergency arises requiring their services, then let them go and do service, but don't let them be taken off as long as it can be helped—I would like your written authority to do this—also instructions as to the manner of proceeding against persons who will keep no overseer, and make but little provision for their Negroes, rendering it necessary for them to Steal or starve and go naked—There are some few cases of that kind here, when Negroes Seemingly, are permitted to forage upon the Community—The owners will not look after them, will not provide for them, nor will they [?] ^employ^ an overseer. The Negroes having such large liberties, they are enabled to harbor runaways, who have fire arms, traverse the whole Country, kill Stock, and steal generally, supplying those who harbor them, and send to market by [?] Market Men, The state of things in reference to this in a few cases are a serious nuisance, as well as dangerous to the Community. Complaints are made to me to remedy the evil. I am however at a loss to know how to proceed. Something is necessary, and I appeal to you for assistance in the [page torn] I have addressed the Officer Commanding this division, and hope through both of you I will be enabled remedy the Matter.

Your attention is respectfully asked in these ^matters^ at as early a period as possible.

Very Respectfuly

A. K. Farrar
Provost Marshall

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Natchez Miss
July 17—1862
A. K. Farrar
Provo Marsl