Waxahachie, Tex. Feby 14th/64
To His Excellency
Gov P. Murrah
Dear Sir: The late Militia Law
is drawing very heavy upon this county, and I am
glad to see in your address to the people that you
are not regardless of the home interests. It is not
expected that military commanders will pay the
proper regard to the interests of [the] state. There is danger
rather, in the pressure of invasion, that they will
encroach too much upon the producing interests of
the county. I am glad to see that you feel the respon-
sibility resting upon you, as the supreme civil magistrate
of the state, to foster & guard the civil interests of the
county.
In this judicial district our crops have been raised
chiefly by white labor. The militia law allows
but few exemptions & the instructions to the enrolling
officer are so rigid, that nearly all are enrolled for
duty. In consequence the crop the year will be very
short. If this county raises bread stuff for her
own women & children it will do well.
Justus W. Ferris to Pendleton Murrah, February 14, 1864. Records of Governor Pendleton Murrah, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.