Part of the Civil War & Reconstruction Governors of Mississippi project. Original held at the Mississippi Department of Archives & History.
Rolling Fork Issaquena
County Mississippi
June 5th 1875
Hon. Adelbert Ames
Governor of the State of Miss.
Dear Sir, I am informed that there has been or is about to be presented to your Hon’s two petitions to for the appointment of two different men to the office of Justice of the Peace of this county in supervisors’ district no 4 of which I have the honor to represent as a member of that Board. One of these petitions I understand is for the appointment of one W. B. McQuillian to the office of Justice of the Peace of said district the other petition is for the appointment of one W. H. Foote to the same office. The petition of Mr Foote’s being the first gotten up and hearing of no other one being in operation and thinking he to be the choice of the people for the unexpired term — I signed Mr Foote’s Petition. But since that time I find that neither one of the above named democrat gentlemen are not the choice of the majority of the people of this supervisors District.
There is also another petition that is being made up for one Silas Dawson to be appointed to the position, Dawson is a colored man as I am myself, but I refused to sign his petition because I am satisfied that he is incompetent and I fear he will disgrace the office, as W. B. Parker his brother-in-law has already done. I will name to colored men who I know is trust worthy and will faithfully discharge the functions of said office honestly and just. viz. Harrison Smith who has been living in this county for three or four years and W. N. Nance who has removed from Warren County of this state since January last to this county. I have been acquainted with Mr Nance every since he came to this state from the State of Inda in 1869, his native home, eather one of the two last named men, I am satisfied will do the office honor. If eather of the last named parties got the appointment from your hands, you will greatly oblige your constituents of this Supovisors’ District, though there be no petition for eather of them.
I cepart the name of W. H. Foote on the recommendation of the Board of Supovisors at their next meeting, but do not let that deter your mind from the statement (private) that I send to you.
Respectfully
F. P. P. Brooks.