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Personal
Bureau, Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands
Office Gen'l Sup't & Provost Marshal
Arkansas River District
Pine Bluff, Ark. Nov 13 1866
Dear Colby
Mr Byers called a few moments since & requested some blanks to make reports upon - I declined to comply & he enquired the reason - I told him he was not recognized by the Bureau &c - He wished to know why & I frankly told him I understood one reason was his want of qualification & compliance with Circular 23 which I have never seen (& wish you would send me) & his habits, as e.g. the excessive use of tobacco &c &c - After some friendly conversation I advised & desired him to write you fully in order that there may be as little real , or seeming diversity among those laboring for the education of the freedmen as may be - Our [[?]] was pleasant but on my part, frank - I assume no authority in the matter of schools but I need not opine you that I feel a great interest in the matter