Letter from Mississippi Attorney General T. J. Wharton to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; December 18, 1863

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Letter from Mississippi Attorney General T. J. Wharton to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; December 18, 1863

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People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Smylie, J. J.Wharton, T. J.

Events

Crime Crime--Extortion

Organizations

Confederate States of America--Congress Minnesota--Legislature. House of Representatives Mississippi--Legislature Mississippi. State Capitol Building

Occupations

Attorneys General Cotton Gin Operators Legislators

Places

Minnesota Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Virginia--Independent City. Richmond

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[seal]

Attorney Generals Office
Jackson, Dec^r. 18^th 1863

His Excellency Charles Clark,

Dear Sir

This will be handed to you by the Hon. J. J. Smylie—whose acquaintance I presume you made when you were both members of the Legislature. He will submit to you a plan for the introduction of articles very much needed at this time by the people of the State, and of the Confeder-acy. It has already rec^d. the Sanction of the Gov^t. at Richm^d. and I can myself, after a full examination, see no well founded objection to it, either upon principle or policy—

It has occurred to me that it presents a rare oppor-tunity, and one perfectly safe and feasible, to procure cotton cards, and other articles of like essential impor-tance to the industrial interests of the State. He offers, too, my accomodating terms. His own character and residence n amongst us preclude the idea that he will lend himself to the infamous system of specultion and extortion practiced so largely by the vampirss who are taking advantage of the reputation of the people and the Government.

I think you cannot but approve the several features of the plan, as well as its [utterance?] objects, which if faithfully & honestly carried out, Ihave no doubt will redout more to the advantage of the State & Confed-eracy than to the interests of the parties immediately concerned.

So viewing I it, Ihave advised Capt Smylie to

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visit you and submit it for your consederation.

Until this morning, When I rec^d. your dispatch I had hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you in Jackson, and having you for my guest. I need not say that your pressence at the Capitol would be hailed with timly satisfaction by all classes and endities of our citizens.

Allow me to suggest that some repairs upon the State House & the grounds connected with it, are imperiously demanded for ~~the~~ ^their^ preservation. The building is in a most dilapidated condition—rooms open, locks broken, lights shattered; whilst the yard is a common horse & cow lot—The fencing down on three sides, pretty much. Something must be done vry speedily to prevent further waste and destruction

I would take pleasure in affording any assistance in my power to carry out your views in the matter.

Very Truly Yrs

T J Wharton