Mary A. Mitchell to Richard Yates

Empire Mills Ills March 8th 63

Gov Yates Sir

I direct you a few lines because I know that all that is of interest to the Country is of interest to you, what seems to me of importance at this time is that some measure should be taken to protect such of our farms as wish to employ the negro in so doing with out being subject to fines as is the case at present this part of the State is finely adapted to Cotton growing and most of the citizens would like to engage in it if they could get slave labor, many have made an attempt to employ the Contrabands, but are imediately discouraged by the enimies of our Country bringing them before Court and fining them. The consequence will be the [Ills?] will come far short of her usual amount of produce for the want of laborers a great part of the men left in this part of the country are to Cowardly to go in to the Army and to [vile?] to remain in the country, hoping that this matter may receive early notice profitable to those farmers who would do our Country proper service. I am Respectfully Mary A. Mitchell

my address is, Cairo ____

Mary A Mitchell

Empire Mills March 8' 1863

thinks the Citizens of Ill should be permitted to Employ the Negroes to work their farms. says labor is very scarce in the south part of the State

File

Recd Ex O March 14 63