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206 Bureau R.F. & A.L. Office Sup't Education. Little Rock, Ark. Aug. 29. 1867 Bennett Brev't Brig Gen'l John E. A.A.A. General, Bu. R.F. & A.L. Sir: I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Ass't Commissioner extracts of letter from myself to Rev. Jacob R. Shipherd, Secty. Amer. Miss'y Assn in relation to Mr. Webb's course while here, also extracts of Mr. Shipherd's reply. I am Sir, very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, Enoch K Miller Ass't Sup't Education. Extract. From Rev. E.K. Miller's letter to Rev. J.R. Shipherd, Bureau R.F & A.L. Office Sup't Education, Little Rock, Ark. Aug. 13th 1867. Shipherd Rev. J.R. Sect. A.M.A. Chicago, Ill. Dear Brother: x x x There are some things in Mr. Webb's conduct while here that appear very strange to me, as for instance accepting the hospitality of Mr. Butler who was in charge of the Friend's work here and then joining with some under his charge who were dissatisfied with his management, and taking them from the house of the Friends and the charge of Mr. Butler elsewhere, and then writing to the Ind. Yearly Meeting of Friends in the interests of the disaffected party. It may be all right, yet it does not seem the true policy for us to pursue, to interfere with the work of other 207 commissions. Another matter - Mr. Webb, after receiving every kindness from Mr. Colby and all other officials of the Bureau, acted as though he considered Mr. C. an enemy to him and our work, and this too when Mr. Colby had endorsed and was endorsing favorably all papers relating to his appointment as traveling agent, and received him into our office, thus relieving the Association of the burden of paying his salary. Mr. Webb did not come to Mr. Colby for explanation in matters concerning which he deemed him in the wrong, but went to men outside of the educational work, and related many things calculated to place Mr. Colby in a false aspect. Such occurences do not help our work along at all. It injures us with the Ass't Commissioner, it creates distrust among the Freedmen, and raises obstacles in our pathway which it takes month to remove. I feel sorry on account of the Association that Mr. Webb should have pursued this course, for we have received such uniform kindness from the Friends that such undue interference on our part is unkind while such a course towards Mr. Colby is unjust. These things occurred in my absence or I would have exerted my authority and influence to prevent them. I have not seen Mr. Webb since this trouble arose, but have obtained my information from Mr. Colby and others here. I have carefully examined all reports, endorsements, &c made by Mr. Colby in relation to Mr. Webb's case, and I can not see how in any way the least shadow of blame can attach to Mr. Colby for any action he has taken. Personal considerations have not influenced him in the least. I have hesitated whether or not to lay this statement before you, but have decided to do so, because I felt that justice to Mr. Colby demanded it. x x x x x x x x x x (Signed)Enoch K. Miller Ass't Sup't Education
