From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Thomas McCarren and Geo. B. McNamara to R. J. Mathews. A reply written to Mathews concerning the case of William Hanlan (also known as Michael Hanlan). The letter states that Hanlan and the man whom he was charged with shooting served in the same military unit stationed in Columbus, Mississippi, in August of 1867. Both men were drunk from liquor and got into a quarrel. Hanlan went to his tent to get his rifle and shot Beau, another man, and was then turned over to local authorities in Columbus.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from T. V. Noland at Woodville, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, recounting from memory the case of Res. Smith and stating that the two counts of larceny and burglary were weighed against Smith circumstantially. Although Smith was in possession of some of the items, Noland believes he most likely did not steal them. Noland states that Smith should be pardoned as he has fully atoned for his crime.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from W. H. Fitz-Gerald at Charleston, Mississippi, to P. B. Starke, recounting the case of an African American man named Henry White who was convicted of rape in May 1867. Fitz-Gerald claims that White and the woman whom he was charged with raping had previously had consensual intercourse except for the night in question, where he forced himself upon her against her will. Fitz-Gerald states that although White is legally guilty, Fitz-Gerald believes that there were "extenuating circumstances" and that the sentence imposed was too great.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from H. S. Van Eaton at Woodville, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, recounting the case of Elisha Boker and stating that he ought to have never been convicted, stating that the prosecutor had gone to the cabin of Boker looking for a woman that was staying there. When Elisha came out, the prosecutor tried to attack Elisha with a long piece of iron. Van Eaton claims Elisha defended himself with a knife, cutting the prosecutor. Van Eaton also accuses the witnesses in the case, all African Americans, of being prejudiced against Boker. Van Eaton requests executive clemency for Boker.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from James R. Chalmers at Austin, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, recounting details of the Isaac Franklin case and that he thought for what Franklin was sentenced his going to the Mississippi State Penitentiary was a hardship.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from John Butts to R. J. Matthews, explaining that one of his bags had been stolen in Vicksburg, Mississippi, from the porter, and that part of the contents of his bag were found in the possession of John Thomas, who had been convicted of receiving stolen goods. Butts believes that Thomas has made amends for his part in the crime and deserves to be released. Butts also states that he had promised Thomas last year that he would do all that he could to help him but had not had an opportunity to do so.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from James T. Coleman at Vicksburg, Mississippi, replying to an inquiry concerning the case against Parker Lacey. Coleman believes an injustice had been done by the conviction of Lacey, arguing that a companion of Lacey had been swindled out of some money and when Lacey went to recover the money from the alleged swindlers, they had Lacey arrested. Coleman believes that Lacey was convicted because he is an African American man and the alleged swindlers are white, and that Lacey's punishment was far beyond his offense.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Thomas Reed to R. J. Mathews, concerning an inquiry into the case of Tim (or Jim) Carter who had been convicted of stealing a mule and sentenced to one year in the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Reed explains that the prosecution failed to positively identify the mule Carter had supposedly stolen, and believes that the jury convicted him just for being in possession of a mule. Reed also explains that Judge Smiley had not taken the oath, and therefore the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case and thus Carter was being held without cause and should be released.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from H. Murphy to R. J. Mathews, recounting the details of the case of Isham Walton, whom he defended, and stating that Walton was convicted of assault with the intent to kill. According to witnesses, Walton was said to have been holding a gun carelessly when it went off by accident. Murphy states that he believes the punishment for Walton was unjust. There is also a statement at the end of this letter from W. L. Walton pleading for the release of Isham Walton.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from J. M. Pearson at Carrollton, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, concerning the 1868 case of an African American man named Allison Bibb, as Pearson was assigned to defend Bibb. Pearson makes the case for Bibb to receive clemency.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Message from Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn to both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature, stating that he is returning to them House Bill 244 without his approval, and defines reasons for this action.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter to R. J. Mathews, responding to Mathews's request for information concerning the Anderson Beacham case, in which Beacham was charged with arson for burning the home of Wash Ford. The letter goes on to say that Beacham was convicted upon circumstantial evidence.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Owen McGarr at Vicksburg, Mississippi, to R. J. Mathews, concerning the Minor Coleman case tried before Judge Shackelford. McGarr states that the district attorney and most of the jury that convicted Coleman had subsequently signed a petition to have him pardoned during the summer of 1868, but for some reason then-Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames had not acted upon said petition. McGarr goes on to make a plea for Coleman to receive a pardon from Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter to R. J. Mathews, stating that the author could not recall the specifics of the case against Eliza Davis, other than she was charged with stealing several items amounting to $6.00 in value.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from George Potter, W. L. Sharkey, Jason Niles, and E. S. Fisher to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, endorsing O. H. Whitfield of Aberdeen, Mississippi, for the appointment to the office of chancellor for a judicial district.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from B. B. Boone at Jacinto, Mississippi, addressed to R. J. Martin (possibly intended for R. J. Mathews?), recounting the details of the case against C.C. Byers--a Tennessee man working in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, accused of stealing a horse. Boone states that Byers was questioned about the horse, and said that he purchased the horse from someone else but later turned the horse loose in the woods. Byers was unable to procure any witnesses for his case, and his parents, being impoverished and out-of-state, could neither help him nor attend his trial. Boone further states that he believes that Byers has served enough punishment for petty larceny.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from "Beaty" at Macon, Mississippi, to "Shill," requesting that he be suggested to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn to become the head of the governor's Secret Service department. (The Beaty and Shill names seem to be some sort of nickname or code name for these men, as both names appear in quotation marks).

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from H. F. Henson, private secretary to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, addressed to the president of the Mississippi State Senate, requesting on behalf of Alcorn that George W. Fisher, T. G. Rice, and W. Jefferson be withdrawn from consideration for the position of Hinds County, Mississippi, supervisors.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, informing Alcorn that the Senate had confirmed the accompanying list of county and municipal officers for Noxubee, Claiborne, Hinds, Clarke, and Monroe counties, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Incomplete, damaged letter from W. M. Deason at Natchez, Mississippi, to Mississippi Lieutenant Governor R. C. Powers, informing Powers that Deason's wife will be visiting Jackson, Mississippi, and Deason would appreciate any courtesy that can be extended towards her. (A core portion of the letter is missing, as Deason talks about murder in the first degree and a building without furniture).

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, informing Alcorn that the Senate had confirmed the accompanying list of county and municipal officer nominations for Harrison and Pike Counties, Mississippi.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, informing Alcorn of the Senate's confirmation of his nominations for county and municipal officers in Washington and Lowndes Counties, Mississippi, as well as 4th District Chancellor and the 11th District Circuit Court Judge.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Message from Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn to the Mississippi State Senate and House of Representatives, recommending changes to an Act approved on February 13, 1867, concerning the Mississippi Yazoo-Delta levee commissioners and the collection of taxes by said commissioners and the respective county sheriffs.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Mrs. Manerry Lightfoot to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, writing on behalf of her husband, who has been in prison since 1868. A petition for his release had been sent to the governor with no response. She is requesting an answer to the petition.

From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Alcorn Collection. Letter from Murray Peyton, secretary of the Mississippi State Senate, to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn, reporting that the Senate has accepted the withdrawal of Alcorn from nomination for justice of the peace for the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.