Letter from R. O. Edwards and E. Whaley to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 13, 1862

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Letter from R. O. Edwards and E. Whaley to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 13, 1862

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People

Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889 Edwards, R. O.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Seddon, James A. (James Alexander), 1815-1880 Whaley, E.

Events

Starvation

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army

Organizations

Confederate States of America--War Department

Occupations

Legal Profession--Judges Planter

Places

Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Mississippi--Hinds County. Edwards Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson

Social Identifiers

Impoverished people Nationality--English Nationality--French Nationality--Spanish

Page 1

Jackson 13^thDecem^r1862

To His Excellency J J Pettus
Jackson

Dear Sir

We address you upon a subject of vital import, to every citizen of our State. viz: The want of supply of Salt. The next three months, will sorely test the ability of our Planters to lay aside Pork & Bacon Sufficient to keep Starvation from many, many, dwellings We have the ability and desire, to do all we can for our State and the Confederacy—That can be accomplished we think, by your valued assistance, as the chief Magistrate of a gallant people, and for the first time Suffering for the Necesssaries, for the Sustinence of life. We make this poposition; here at Edwards Depot, 1000 Bales Cotton ready for shipment at a few hours warning—the next and most essential consideration, is to obtain authority from the Secy of War, to trade in New Orleans, with English, French & Spanish Subjects Solely, the trading to be confined to Salt, Blankets & other articles our army may require of course if the Permit is granted he will specify

R O Edwards &
E Whaley
Jackson Miss

Page 2

Below will give you a rough Statement, of what we think the Cotton when sold, will enable us to Purchase, say if the goods approxomate in price to what they were twelve monthes ago—

25,000 Sacks Salt—Coarse & fine	2⁵⁰	62,500.—
15,000 Heavy navy Blankets	5⁰⁰	45,000
Freight, Drayage, Labor &c		32,500
		$110,000=

More if prices have advanced 100% (and one can see no Solvent reasons why, there ^are^ no buyers of consequence for Butlers sets and Supplies for the army, from the north) Salt would be onrth of 4⁰⁰ P^rsack & heavy blankets 8⁰⁰.

We are assured that the War Department has given permit to parties, the intent of Same, being Precisely the like character, we are desirous to obtain In the Event of our Success, it must be Stipulated that the Salt when received, will be handed over to you, for distribution, to the Citizens of our State The Proposition we make in good faith wether the State or Conf. Gov^t. risk on cent, but heavy gainers—we will Suppose in the quantity of pursuched that the Salt Cost $10⁰⁰ P^r. Sack _{it is not to be had [?] a $50⁰⁰} you safe the Citizens of Missⁱ. One Million "Dollars"—and Blankets Selling at $20⁰⁰ & the post $4—the Confederate Gov^t Saves $195.000—

We give you Simply facts and figures, and you can [?] your own deductions.—

As President Davis will we learn be here in a few days, we Concluded to open correspondence

with you in advance, relative to the all important & Really what Subject "Salt"—

Our Citizens two months ago, were Shamefully [?] by Gov^t. officials, the latter giving orders for Salt, receiving their money & cotton in Pay and as to this date, they have no delivered on Sack Salt, this is patent to every Citizen hence if we Succeed in much be delevered toyou.

With great respect, we remain
Very much your [?] citizens

R. O Edwards
E. Whaley