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Office Sub Asst: Com. B.R.F. & A.L.
Columbia. Texas. July 20" 1867.

Lieut J. T. Kirkman
A.A.A. Gen: and Supt of Education
Galveston, Texas

Sir:
In compliance with communication from your office dated June 24" 1867. - received July 14" 1867 - I have the honor to report that there are not any private schools for freedmen in this county that I have any knowledge of.

In connection with this I would state that there is an earnest desire on the part of the colored people of this county to do all in their power to educate the children but they are unable to build school houses through want of means. There is however, a more serious drawback than that. - it is the want of some settled purpose which cannot exist among them until they more fully understand the subject of religion and learn to respect those who may differ with them on religious questions. The principal cause