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Salem Dorchester County Ma. 
Oct, 29th 1868 

Rev John Kimball 

Dear sir

I write to inform you that these people say they have met and decided that necesity compels them to keep their school closed as they are not able to pay any salary of teacher. They say that if it had been required of them two years ago they could paid it much better than now.  or since the crops have [[fouled?]] two years the young people who use to keep them they are gone away to other places and left Fathers, mothers, and orphans here to battle with the opposition and darkness [[?]]  They say that it would be the pride of their lives to commence and keep this school agoing and respectfully aske for a colored male teacher if their application meets your favour 

Verry Respectfully yours  
[[signature]] John H. Butler [[/signature]]

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