Viewing page 35 of 58
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
62 [[left margin]] Wilmer [[/left margin]] Office Asst. Commissioner B.R.F. and A.L. Montgomery, Ala. June 1st 1866. RA. Rev. Richard H. [Richmer], D.d Mobile,Ala. Dear Sir, I thought it would interest you to know that the schools in the Medical College will close on or before the 15th inst., and that, immediately upon that event, it is expected to vacate the building, impersonate of the arrangement entered upon some time since. We hope to reopen the schools in the fall, in the Marine Hospital building. Meanwhile I would thank you to help me to correct a palpable wrong. You will observe from the enclosed that a poll-tax of eighty cents has been collected from every adult negro in Mobile County for Education purposes, while you are aware that no educational facilities are afforded by the County to its colored inhabitants. I hope the good people of Mobile do not propose to carry out this plan. I am sure you will do what you can to stop it. Let them collect the money, but let them use it honestly and give the colored people a good school. If they would transfer to you the amount realized from the source, I should feel sure it would be usefully applied, and you might carry out the plan you have several times spoken of to me. It further seems to me that the Collectors' and Assessors' changes have been extremely lucrative to somebody, without the least authority of law. Cannot you look into this also? Please drop me a line in reply. Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant (Signed) Wager Swayne Major General 63 [[left margin]] Howard [[/left margin]] Office Asst. Commissioner. B.R.G and A.L. Montgomery, Ala June 1st 1866. Major General O.O. Howard Commissioner to Washington D.C. General, Observing that a new bill for the reorganization of this Bureau will probably pass Congress at this session, I have the honor to suggest to you that the bill be so amended as to embrace the sale of real property in this State, which was the property of the rebel government, and transferred under the President's order. The Briarfield Iron Works, you remember have already been sold under this order, and there are several other pieces which might be disposed of to advantage, and afford revenue to the Bureau applicable elsewhere than in this State. [[underline]] Indeed, I think an amendment would readily pass Congress, giving the proceeds of all property of the late rebel government to the Bureau, for educational purposes. [[/underline]] I feel an especial interest in perfecting the title to the Briarfield Iron Works. Innocent purchases, relying on the validity of title obtained by a purchase from the Government, as public sale, have gone on to make further investments, so that great wrong would be done by failure in this particular without any compensating benefit whatever Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant (signed) Wager Swayne Major General
