From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Sharkey Collection. Letter from George S. Gaines in State Line, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey, complaining about federal policies which he says are encouraging formerly enslaved people to leave plantations. Gaines is frustrated that plantation owners can no longer legally exercise control over African Americans and their labor. He complains that planters cannot produce enough cotton, corn, and other crops.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Petition from the citizens of Smith County, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus asking that Pettus convene the legislature to pass a law suspending the collection of debts.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from S. W. Land at Rocky Point, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus, concerning the request for exemption from militia duty of James Craft, a tanner.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from William H. Hardy in Raleigh, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus, concerning the destitution of the families of Confederate volunteer soldiers and the need for the state of Mississippi to aid them.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from West Pascagoula, Mississippi, informing Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus of the suffering of the people on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from W. J. Barnes in Arkansas, a friend of Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus, telling him about conditions on his farm.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from George S. Gaines at State Line, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus, concerning the need to defend the Tombigbee River and the suffering of local families.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Petition from Pike County, Mississippi, asking Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus not to detail any more men from Pike County, Mississippi, into the Mississippi State Militia.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus, concerning the "suffering condition of the people" in Hancock County, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from D. C. Greenwood in Scooba, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus, concerning the need for state help to the families of Confederate volunteer soldiers.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus to William S. Barry concerning the suffering of people in Mississippi caused by the recent drought.