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Oxford Miss, Nov 27^th 1863.

His Excellency Gov Chas Clark,

Sir: At the request of a number of prominent citizens ofthis here, I make for your consideration the fol-lowing Statement, and ask your opinion at your earliest convenience.

A Lady and her aged father from Calhoun Co. recently visited their relatives in De Soto Co, and while there, pur-chased a barrel of salt from their relatives paying the money for the Same—they had no cotton. On their return home their wagon, team and salt were seized by our troops, confiscated and turned over to the Govern-ment. These facts as Stated, were proven to Gen Lee, who is here, and he refused to give up anything, alleging that it was the order of Gen Johnston, and must be carried out, showing that if a citizen on this side of the Tallahatchie river crosses over and purchases articles of cit-izens with money, on the other side, their prop-erty is liable to confiscation. There have been several. ^cases^ similar, occurred here recently, and civil process issued by the citizens to recover the property and in every instance overruled and disregarded by the military authority. Can the civil law be enforced, or can the mili-tary authorities overrule and disregard all civil law?

Your answer will be anxiously looked for here at an early day.

I have the honor to be very
Respectfully, Your Obt Sevt—

W^m Delay.

Hon Chas Clark
Gov. of Miss.