Letter from J. Hewett to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; August 1865

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Letter from J. Hewett to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; August 1865

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People

Hewett, J.Johnston, Joseph E. (Joseph Eggleston), 1807-1891 Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870 Martin, William T.Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873 Ventress, James Alexander, 1805-1867 Wood, Sam

Events

Conventions Conventions--Mississippi. Constitutional Convention (1868)Crime Crime--Destruction of property Emancipation and self emancipation Military Events--Military occupation Political Office--Appointment to office Political elections Taxation

Military Units

United States. Army

Organizations

Courts and Judicial Systems Courts and Judicial Systems--Circuit Courts Libraries Schools

Occupations

Clerks Legal Profession--Judges Legal Profession--Lawyers Mayors Tax Profession--Auditors Tax Profession--Collectors Tradespeople

Places

Mississippi--Adams County. Natchez Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Wilkinson County

Social Identifiers

Educational Status--Students

Page 1

[seal]

Hon W. L. Sharkey—
Jackson—Miss—

Natchez, August 3, 1865—

Dear Sir—

At the request of several friends, I trouble you with a few lines—Our public school inter-est is very heavy, not far short of $80,000 in value—con-sisting of valuable buildings extensive furniture Philosophical Apparatus, Lybrary &c—The annual average attendance, from July 1845 to the Federal occupation in July 1863 was largely over 600—It was supported by a tax on the property in [page torn] city, restricted to $12,000 per annum—

After July 1863, the taxes failing us, it was suspended until April 1864—It was [then?] partialy reopened Its expences in the main being met by rents of a portion of the school property, made to suffice, by a large [anit?] of labour being gratuitously bestowed by friends of the children—We closed school last weeek with 500 pupils, who had rec'd gratuitous instruction the last 14 months—

This effort however, has been attended with too many disagreeables, to be willing-ly encountered for another year—and before we take any steps for reopening the Institute next October—it is desirable to have some prospect of the reorganisation of the City govern-

Page 2

—ment—If this is effected we doubt not the school will be provided for—though it might be on a more limited scale—than heretofore—

Our citizens interested as above—and many others—are very solicitous on this subject—The necces-sary provision for this purpose will require quite all the time vacation allows—Meanwhile the query occurs, shall we have any school tax assess-ed or collected? Shall we have any city govern-ment to assess & collect it?

I am requested to solicit the appointment of the old incumbents, until an election; or that steps neccessary to an elections be authorised—Under the Charter the annual election is the first Mon-day in January—I speak of the election of a Mayor and City Officers—They elect the school officials.

Permit me also to remark that a very serious injury to the public is resulting from our being without any Circuit Court Clerk.

There has been most Vandal like destruction of records—papers &c in this office—still with immediate care much loss & mischeif may be repaired, and much more prevented—

Sam Wood was clerk in this Court for many years, and the universal voice so indicates his superior ability to reorganise this important office, that I do not suppose he would have any opposition before the people—He feels so sure of this, that if appointed—if that is thought proper—he

Page 3

would at once proceed to arrange & organise the office—Very many interests now suffer because this office is closed—Could you not releive us?

In this county I think the general dispos-ition exists, to accept accomplished facts—meet them fairly, and however unpleasant, predicate all action for the future on them as they stand—

I understand Ventress, in Wilkinson is a candi-date for the Convention—It is stated his platform is a Protest against the Emancipation policy, with resolve never to submit—If we could not hold this matter in abeyance, when Lee, Johnson &c &c with their forces were in the field, it strikes me Gen'l Ventress will find use for all his mili-tary skill before he ruins success—

We are greatly troubled here for candi-dates—nor, near as is the election—is there any certainty who will run—I have some hope Will T Martin Esqr may be placed in a position to serve us—

I have much pleasure in assuring you of the general satisfaction of the people with the steps taken by their Provisional Governor—

I know of but one exception—Some think he who trades to am't of $100,000 ought to pay more tax, than one who only trades to $1000—

But this is too tedious—Excuse it
And beleive me Truly Your Obd't Serv't

J. Hewett

over

Page 4

August 4^th 1865

P. S.

Am this morning requested to add, that a Petition, and other papers, were sent you from here, some weeks since—While aware that numerous calls on your valuable time must make it difficult—often impossible—to attend to every case immediately still as some parties may be interest in continueing the present state of things, some fears were felt, lest you might not have received former communication

J H

J Hewett

Answered