Letter from J. B. Lake to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; July 4, 1865
Title
Letter from J. B. Lake to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; July 4, 1865
Subject
Freedmen.; Mississippi. Governor; Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873; United States--Social conditions--1865-1918.
Description
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Sharkey Collection. Letter from J. B. Lake to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey asking what his policy will be regarding African Americans and recommending that they be required to remain at home and work for wages.
Creator
Lake, J. B.
Publisher
Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version); Mississippi Digital Library. (electronic version)
Date
1865-07-04
Contributor
Funding for this project provided by The Dale Center for Study of War and Society-USM, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Digital Library, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the Watson-Brown Foundation
Rights
NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Language
English
Identifier
mdah_771-955-01-34
Coverage
1865
Text
Page 1:
Cambridge Maryland
July 4th 1865
Honorable Wm. L. Sharkey
Jackson Miss.
My Dr Sir
I have taken the liberty of adressing you a few times, first to express to you the great pleasure it gave me at seeing it announced in the news papers, of your appointments by the President, Provisional Gover=nor of the State of Mississippi,
Secondly, if not incompatable with your office, to let me know the policy which will govern you respecting the negroes. I am anxious to [carry?] [on?] the planting interest in the state and will, provided the negros will be compelled
Page 2:
to him at fare wages and to remain at their homes for twelve months, This would not only enable the planter to [pitch?], but work and gather his crops. Unless some such policy be inaugurated the planting interest of the state in my judgement ^must^ be intirely destroyed, and bankruptcy and ruin the inevitable result.
I had the pleasure of knowing you ^personally^ some thirty years ago, we were then both citizens of Vicksburg, and am happy to say did form a high estimate of your character at that time
My Brother W A. Lake was one of your [earnest?] admirers. As my Movements will be much goverened by your reply to this letter, giving me your views respecting be policy to the pursued governing the south, and particularly the state of Mississippi, I shall wait with deep interest for your reply. Hoping to hear for you soon,
I am [with?] [much?]
[Respect?] yrs truly
J B Lake
Page 3:
J. B. Lake
wants to know what the policy will be in this state in regard to the negro
Cambridge Maryland
July 4th 1865
Honorable Wm. L. Sharkey
Jackson Miss.
My Dr Sir
I have taken the liberty of adressing you a few times, first to express to you the great pleasure it gave me at seeing it announced in the news papers, of your appointments by the President, Provisional Gover=nor of the State of Mississippi,
Secondly, if not incompatable with your office, to let me know the policy which will govern you respecting the negroes. I am anxious to [carry?] [on?] the planting interest in the state and will, provided the negros will be compelled
Page 2:
to him at fare wages and to remain at their homes for twelve months, This would not only enable the planter to [pitch?], but work and gather his crops. Unless some such policy be inaugurated the planting interest of the state in my judgement ^must^ be intirely destroyed, and bankruptcy and ruin the inevitable result.
I had the pleasure of knowing you ^personally^ some thirty years ago, we were then both citizens of Vicksburg, and am happy to say did form a high estimate of your character at that time
My Brother W A. Lake was one of your [earnest?] admirers. As my Movements will be much goverened by your reply to this letter, giving me your views respecting be policy to the pursued governing the south, and particularly the state of Mississippi, I shall wait with deep interest for your reply. Hoping to hear for you soon,
I am [with?] [much?]
[Respect?] yrs truly
J B Lake
Page 3:
J. B. Lake
wants to know what the policy will be in this state in regard to the negro