Letter from C. M. Vaiden to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; November 4, 1864

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Letter from C. M. Vaiden to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; November 4, 1864

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People

Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 Hausar, Unknown Unknown, Phillip Vaiden, C. M.

Events

Crime Crime--Destruction of property Impressment Impressment--Enslaved people Military Engagements Military Engagements--Bon Secour, Destruction of, Ala., 1864 Military Events--Capitulations, Military

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army

Organizations

Bon Secour Salt Works (Ala.)Mississippi. State Salt Works

Places

Alabama Bolivar County (Miss.)Forts Mobile (Ala.)Montgomery (Ala.)Sunflower County (Miss.)Vaiden (Miss.)Washington County (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

Enslaved people

Page 1

Vaiden Miss Nov 4—1864

Gov Charles Clarke

DSir⁠—Mr Hausar asked ^me^ to forward you the within enclosed letter He & another man are ^here^ for salt & report complete destitution of it in the River Counties. I have just learned that conscription of the negroes at the Salt Works is going on for Montgomery Ala—I have been there with my force from the begining of the War to make salt exclu-sively for the people of Miss seldom selling a bushel out of the State—I am selling now to the people of Washington Sun Flower & Bolivar Counties—I have bought in addition to what I make several thousand Bushels & dispen-sed it in Miss exclusively at a loss the pres-ent year of not one dollar less than $30000 & yet you refer me to a man by the name of Phillip for such protection as you are willing to give on terms he may suggest—Now Gov I think whilst benefitting myself I am doing a great deal of good to the people of Miss & suggest to you the encouragement of salt making by giving all necessary protection—It is an unhealthy business not one white man who commenced it in ten

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now survives—Were the works increased there could not be a supply made for the coming year since the destruction of the Bow secur? works by the fall of our Forts below Mobile which embraced half the quantity made

I wish Gov you would reflect on this & write me—I am willing to give the Gov^mt any assistance in my power but to pay for the privilege of making salt I think a wrong that you should correct as far as you can & as speedily as possible

If you think I should pay for protection please let me know what that pay should be—I have given to the Army not less than $10,000 this year & wish to do my part fully but I donot think it right to pay for doing what I consider a great good to the people of Miss—Your Country people now call on me for help—This is all true

In haste
Very Respectfully

C, M, Vaiden