This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

SIS
Mississippi Department of Archives and History
.	----__ Post Office Box 571 ? Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0571 ? Telephone 601-359-6850
Jjj.llMlU. Elbert R. Hilliard, Director
September 16, 1997
The Honorable Nap L. Cassibry 164 East Beach Boulevard Gulfport, Mississippi 39507
Dear Senator Cassibry:
Thank you for your letter of September 10, 1997, concerning Juan deCuevas and his family who lived on Cat Island at the time of the War of 1812. I deeply appreciate your writing to provide us with your observations concerning the myths and inaccuracies that have evolved over the years in regard to Juan deCuevas and your providing us with a copy of Mr. Paul E. Puebla's interesting article, "Would the Real Juan deCuevas Please Stand?," which will be published in the next issue of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Historical and Genealogical Society Journal.
I have read your letter and Mr. Puebla's article, and it appears to me that the two of you have stated your case well. I am transmitting copies of your letter and Mr. Puebla's article to Jack Elliott, historical archaeologist, and Jim Woodrick, historian, in our Division of Historic Preservation, for their review and evaluation. I have also asked Jim to check our historical marker files to identify the marker or markers that contain inaccurate statements in regard to Juan deCuevas. Once Jack and Jim have completed their review and have verified the conclusions that you and Mr. Puebla have reached, we shall recommend to the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History that the inaccurate state historical marker or markers be replaced.
I am also transmitting copies of your letter and {4r. Puebla's article to Carolyn Woodley, Acquisitions Librarian, in order that they can be placed in the Department's Subject File folders on Juan deCuevas, Cat Island, and the War of 1812. I am also sending copies to Dr. David Sansing and Dr. Ray Skates, the authors of one of the Mississippi History textbooks that are being used in our schools today.
Board of Trustees: William F. Winter, president / Van R. Burnham, Jr. / Arch Dalrymple III / Lynn Crosby Gammil! Gilbert R. Mason, Sr. / Amalie Fair Robinson / Everette Truly / Rosemary Taylor Williams / Sherwood W. Wise