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#176 
Little Rock, Ark. 
Nov. 5th 1868

Langstroth Miss M. E.
West Philadelphia, Pa.
Dear Madam: 
Your favor of Oct. 20" was received some day ago. Your kindly interest merits the thanks of the colored people.
Rev. Miller and Mrs. Hitchcock are both out of the state, but I will attend faithfully to the distribution of the books sent as soon as they come to hand.
We hope to considerably extend the school work among the freedmen the ensuing year; shall certainly do so if supplied with the requisite agencies - laborers and means. 
With thanks on their behalf for your interest in these people, I remain,
Resp'y yours,
Wm. M. Colby,
Supt. Edn.

#177  
Little Rock, Ark.
Nov. 5, 1868
Owen Rev. M. H.
Searcy.
White Co. Ark.
Sir,
Elder W. M. Lea called at this office today to confer about the establishment of a school for the colored people at or near Searcy and referred me to you as a gentleman interested in the matter.
At his request I enclose explanatory Circulars, and shall be glad to assist you in putting a school [[crossed out]] in [[/crossed out]] operation in White county. 
Respectfully,
Wm. M. Colby,
Supt of Edn

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#178.
Little Rock, Ark.
Nov. 6th 1868.
Alvord, Rev. J. W.
Gen'l Sup't of Schools,
Washington, D.C.-
Dear Sir,
Your favor of Oct. 27th requesting to be furnished with material for a digest of the laws on the subject of common schools, and for a statement of the provisions actually made for the establishment of common schools is received.
In reply I have the honor to enclose a copy of the constitutional provision on the subject of Education, and also a copy of the school law passed in pursuance thereof at the recent Session of the legislature.
In the concise language of Assistant Commissioner Smith the provision actually made for Schools up to this time consists in the appointment of thirty five thousand dollar's worth of Superintendents. The expensive Supervision provided for Seems to be an unpopular feature of the law, and there is some probability that it will be modified in this respect and some others at the next Session of the legislature which meets on the 16" instant.
An advisory meeting of the state Board of Education has been held at which a few text books were recommended, forms adopted; and resolutions passed; but up to this date no schools have to my knowledge been established. A note of enquiry as to the progress made has been addressed to the State Superintendent and a copy of his reply will be forwarded you as soon as received.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Wm. M. Colby,
Supt. of Education