Letter from James K. Mulkey to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; January 30, 1871

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Letter from James K. Mulkey to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; January 30, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Hewson, H. F.Mulkey, James K.Mulky, James K.

Events

Crime Crime--Fraud Political elections

Organizations

Mississippi--Executive Department United States--Congress United States--Congress. Senate Watercraft

Occupations

Engineers Inspectors Law Enforcement--Detectives Legislators Secretaries Steamboat workers

Places

Arkansas Arkansas--Phillips County. Helena Bodies of Water--Interstate. Mississippi River Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Tennessee Tennessee--Shelby County. Memphis

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Memphis Tenn
Jan 30^th,, 1871

Gen^l,, Alcorn
Jackson Miss.

Dear Sir. hearing you are Elected to the U.S. Senate and knowing you have an interest for the wellfare of your people on the river" I propose acting as U. S. Detective, without Salary to examine steamboats on the Miss River, and bring to punishment owners and employees of Steam boats that are continually violating the laws for the Safety of lives and property on the river. I am a young man" and the Son of one of your old friends" from Helena Ark I am a Steam boatman and am acquainted with many way's Engineers and Captains violate

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the Steam boat laws. I am also acquainted with the frauds Local Inspectors practice," And could I see you, I could detail a hundred cases and most of them will directly apply to the causes of the many disasters that have occurred lately.

The reason I ask no Salary, the Government allows half of each fine to the informer. All I ask is the Official Authority to examine and detain a boat, when I have good reason to believe She is an offender.

Many Steam boat inspecter^s are guilty of bribery and if I had the power I could Expose them. I can furnish the best of references from Miss" Tenn" and Ark, and if you will with your great influence mention this proposition to the proper authorities of the U S" I am confident they will send me the nescessary documents to commence

operations,

Hoping you will pardon me a stranger thus addressing you, and hoping you will agree with me " that a U. S. Steamboat Dectective is neccessary.

I remain
With much respect

James K. Mulkey

54 Marshall Ave
Memphis, Tenn

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PRECIS.
[gap]

No'.

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
~~County of~~ Memphis

From James K. Mulky
Address 54 Marshall Ave
Dated January 30th 1871
Received
Answered

Wishes the authority to act as Steamboat detective says he will act without salary, wishes your recom-mendation to the U. S. Senate

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.