Letter from Grafton Baker to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; June 21, 1863

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Letter from Grafton Baker to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; June 21, 1863

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People

Baker, Grafton Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Turner, Unknown

Organizations

Alabama--State Salt Works

Occupations

Manufacturers Salt contractors Salt workers

Places

Alabama Bodies of Water--Interstate. Tombigbee River Mississippi--Clarke County. Enterprise

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[seal]

Enterprise 21 June 1863

His Excellency.

J. J. Pettus.

Some days ago, I had some conversation with Mr. Turner, (who is now absent) upon the subject of manufacturing salt for the state. Although nothing very definite was said, I understood him to say that you would give ten dollars per bushel for salt, and advance, under certain conditions, the capital to provide the necessary pans or Kettle a material desider a time now, as it is impossible I am told to procure them, unless through the Government.

I have just returned from the state works on the Bigbee, where I spend several days in making absenations and enquiries as the process, facilities, experiences &c of manufacturing Salt; and am satisfied, that owing to the very great distance of hauling wood, the amount in practability of obtaining labor, ^c/ the increase of expenses, generally, attending: the business, that salt cannot be produced with profit at ten dollars. It is now selling at the works at $40— per sack of three bushels, but owing to the increased

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demanded for the article & the great scarity of boiling power, the price will unquestionably increase. As I understood Mr. Turner to intimate that any propositions upon the subject of a contract with the state would necessarily be submitted to your Excellency, I am induced to submit a propositon at once.

If the state will furnish the boiling power to make the salt; I will agree to furnish one half the quantity to ~~the~~ st I make to the state at ten dollars per bushel; and the other half also, (should the state want it,) at the market price as the salt works;—the state furnishing the Sacks.

This would save to the state five dollars per bushel on one half the Salt I can make, This would be very ample renumeration for the use of the capital invested by the state in the work, besides insuring to it a certain quantitiy of ^the^ article produced in fact by individualy enterprise.—

To illustrate: The state to furnish say, 36, Kettels or pans: cost Say at Selma $6000.00 transportation, setting sheds, furnaces &c 5000.00
11.000—

These would be insufficent for two furnaces of 18 Kettles or pans each; which would produce

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40 bushesl of salt per day,—& more if they Should become night as well as day. Of the this amount the state would get 20 bushels per day, & which she would get at $200 while it would be worth in the market three hundred dollar, thus saving one hundred dollars upon every 20 bushels of salt. To compensate me for this I only ask the use of the Furnaces and with liberty of disposing of the other half of the product at the market price either to the State or to others.

I have here only attempted a mere illustration of the operation of the plan Ipropose. Should your Excellency have any dispoisition to entertain such proposition or any similiar one, please advise me immediately & I will visit you at once. I have conditionally promised ^a^ half interest in a furnace, at the Alabama State Works, affording unusual advantages; as we own the well in fee simple, with would in sufficient quantity at reasonable distance;—the water being the strongest at those works,—as shown by proper tests. But for these advantages I could not feel justified in making the above proposition. My partner is decidily business

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man, who well understands the business, but has not, nor can promise, the necessary labor; but which I already own.

Your Excellency will at once perceive that the great difficulty of obtain boiling power enters into the inducements which prompt this proposition

I hope your Excellency will at your Earliest leisure moment, let me hear from you in reply.

I have the honor to your

Most ob Sevt

Grafton Baker

P.S. Adress at Enterprise

Grafton Baker
21 June 1863
answd 24 June 63
dealing proposition