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476 Head Quarters Dist. of Alabama Montgomery Ala March 23" 1867 Smith Edw. P. Esq American Missionary Association New York City Dear Sir I am in receipt of a letter from Rev J.R. Shipherd of Chicago, one from Mr. E.C. Crevath of Cincinnati, and one from yourself to Rev J. Silsby which has been referred to me by that gentleman. The matters in process of Adjustment between your association and the Bureau in this District to which these letters all relate suggest to me the propriety of your being represented here for one or two months by a sort of plenipotentiary with whom I can confer in relation to all of them. The approval which General Howard has given to my latest estimate, appropriates considerable sums for the creation of school buildings at Mobile, Marion, Selma, and Montgomery, and I think that with the benefit of energy and concentration good ones can be completed at such points before next winter. Hence I propose to you that the Rev J.R. Shipherd be dispatched to Alabama as promptly as may be, and and empowered to represent your society in the educational momuments at the places above named. An error seems to have occurred in Mr Silsby understanding of the Talladega College proposition. The price of the establishment is Eight thousand dollars. The building alone cost $22,000, I am informed. I visited it and was so pleased that I told Mr S. that I would recommend to Genl Howard to pay half the price if your association would put up the balance, and take charge of it. Repairs that would require $2,000, I thought the Bureau could supply. With Mr. Shipherd here, I think that this can also be arranged. If Mr Shipherd come cannot perhaps you can arrange that Mr Silsby be relieved and empowered for the same purpose. Very Respectfully Your obdt servant Major General 477 Head Quarters Dist. of Alabama Montgomery Ala March 23" 1867 432/ Bright Edward Esq Corresponding Secretary New York City Dear Sir The want of such information as I desire to transmit, has delayed any writing to you for a few days past. The State Commissioner is now here and although we are not yet in full possession of all facts, still I write to you to avoid uncertainty and the appearance of neglect. I fear that the supplies sent to Tuscumbia were overtaken at Tuscumbia Landing by the unprecedented flood which has destroyed a vast amount of property that was considered perfectly secure. Government supplies to a considerable amount were overtaken in like manner. Two Agents of the Bureau were promptly on the ground and every available vehicle was put into requisition. In reply to a dispatch to Col Callis, I am advised "One fourth of corn spoiled half of remainder damp and liable to spoil". "Saved all I could". He has been written to fuller information, as I am not sure how far this relates to the corn sent by your association and how far to Government supplies. I have also caused inquiry to be made of Mr Richardson at Mobile and am advised that the 10,000 bushels spoken of in your note of 7" inst have not yet been received. Father receipts will be telegraphed this office and acknowledged promptly to yourself. The arrangement made for distribution by the Governor and myself was two thirds of the amount should be confided to which person of integrity and prominence, for distribution among all whom they should find in destitution, and that to provide against what we have experienced in the way of their not finding out the poorest of the Colored people, one third should pass through Agents of the Bureau into the hands of colored men for distribution among their own people. I hope this meets your approbation as it is not meant to make the slightest distinction beyond mere convenience. You will observe it is the method of the Bureau in some cases. We think we have now got the business of distributing supplies so organized that it will go on smoothly. Touching the amount of supplies which should be sent you have by this time ample evidence that the only true limit is found in the means of purchase. The State Commissioner and I are both of the opinion that such an assignment as you first named 14,400 bushels, could be used to great advantage, monthly, in this State. over
