47024: Governors of Alabama Archive. A group of approxi

Governors of Alabama Archive. A group of approximately 50 letters and documents relating to three Alabama governors who served during the Civil War, including Andrew B. Moore (December 1, 1857-December 2, 1861), John Gill Shorter (December 2, 1861-December 1, 1863), and Thomas H. Watts (December 1, 1863-May 3, 1865). The documents relate to Alabama government business, while the letters include 13 written to Moore, 8 written to Shorter, and 6 written to Watts. There is also one letter written by Thomas H. Watts, near the end of his term as governor. Example transcriptions of some of the letters are as follows: Thomas H. Watts Autograph Letter Signed. One page, 8" x 12.5", Montgomery; February 27, 1865. To Col. H.C. Lockhart, in part: "Messrs Robert A. Morgan, James Tate, Thos. I. Woolf & N.B. Glover were elected County Commissioners of Marengo County, last August...The office is one of so much importance, as not to be dispensed with. All the funds of the counties & the appropriations made for soldier's families are places under the control of the County Commissioners. The Salt & Cotton cards, provided by the state, are also under their control...Your enrolling officers, under what they believe to be orders, are sending the county commissioners to camp. It is possible that our Courts may hold them liable to service. But whether liable or not, they are indispensable to the Administration of the Laws of the State...I do not wish to have any conflict with your officers, & therefore I ask that county commissioners shall be exempted from annoyances by enrolling officers..." Petition Addressed to Governor Moore. One page of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75", McKinley; February 28, 1861. Drawn up by twelve citizens of Marengo Co., in part: "We the undersigned citizens of Marengo County, take pleasure in recommending to the consideration of your Excellency, the name of the Hon. Sydenham Moore of Greene, as a suitable person to be appointed Major General of the military forces of the State of Alabama. Genl. Moore is, as you are aware, a gentleman of sterling integrity, in every respect reliable, and well and amply qualified for the duties of the position..." Governor Shorter Autograph Endorsement. Two pages of a bifolium, 5.5" x 9", Greene County; June 5, 1862. An answer to a letter from William A. Baute regarding a petition from Greene County to allow their doctor to remain in the county. The letter reads, in part: "While on a visit to Greene, very recently, I was handed a petition, with the request that I wld forward it to yr. Excellency...Permit me to state that these names, which represent the best and a larger part of the community in which this petition was raised, shows a great necessity, the county being very sickly in the summer. As this section of the state is loyal to a man and has sent all but the old men and the women to the war, you will certainly confer a great favor on a larger community by granting the prayer which has been made to you...permit Dr. W to remain at home. Dr. W is not a strong man and is predisposed to consumption..." On verso, Governor Shorter has made the endorsement: "Would relieve if in my power. Sec of War declines to add to list of exemptions fixed by Cong. After enrollment on application a discharge may probably be had." Judge Porter King Autograph Letter Signed to Governor Watts. Two pages of a bifolium, 7" x 8.75", Marion; January 18, 1864. Regarding the resignation of a colleague, in part: "Judge Baily our Probate Judge, has tendered the appointment of Clerk under the late act of our Legislation to Mr. Jesse B. Lovelace. Mr. L volunteered and went to Mobile under Col Byrd and was his Adjt. whilst in Mobile Mr. L was very sick – quite low indeed – on the expiration of his term of service, on account of ill health and under the advice of friends, he put a substitute in the army...I do not think he could endure the hardships and exposure of camp life, and whilst I am decided in my opposition to seeing men able to away, sheltered from duty in the field by some minor office, knowing Mr. Lovelace's physical condition...I would recommend that should he not be exempted by virtue of the officer, that your Excellency use your influence in having him exempted..." Condition: Flattened mail folds, with varying degrees of toning, foxing, and soiling. Some areas of chipping along with small separations at the folds. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved