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Mayor of Mobile,
On Friday I issued an extended Order directing among other things that as the laws of Alabama permit the record of marriages and conveyance of real estate to free persons of color all marriages and conveyances will hereafter be recorded.
On Saturday by invitation I attended a barbecue near this city given by the colored people. I found there the Governor and Maj Gen A. L. Smith with others. The Governor made a manly and encouraging church. Gen Smith spoke very kindly to them, and I spoke with spirit of your instructions.
Today Professor Silsby opens school in rooms which have been procured, cleaned and partially furnished during the past week. He has two colored Assistant, whom he expects to relieve with three white persons.
Today Major Norris telegraphed us that he is in Mobile and will be up on Wednesday. I am not apprised of the result of his negotiations. I shall be especially glad to see him. For I find it most difficult to get from local Superintendents proper List of lands for Assignment. I set a separate officer to work with little result. I shall have something ready for Major Norris, and I shall commit this branch specially to him. I have no doubt he will conduct it rigorously.
The Mayor of Montgomery is disposed to co-operate with us in good faith. I see people from all parts of the State. and endeavor
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to correct wrong impressions.
I am in receipt of Circular No 8 of he Act Organization, and of a file of General Orders, current series, all of which are well come.
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt Servt,

Brig Gen & Asst Comst

Office Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen
and Abandoned Lands
Montgomery, Ala. August 4th 1865

Maj Gen O.O. Howard
Commissioner &c
Washington, DC.

General,
I wrote you on Monday last, some account of the establishment of Head quarters here, and of the opening of business.
On Monday, Professor Silsby opened his school with one hundred and twenty scholars. This number has been fully maintained and apparently all goes well. His charge is $1.25 a moth, to those who are able to pay it. Those who are not pay at discretion or not at all. There are openings in this vicinity for a number of additional teachers if I had them. More than Prof Silsby can supply. In the towns they could be nearly self supporting. On plantations generally, only board could be furnished there until next year. In Wetumpka, near here, I hear of some ladies who are professed teachers and said to willing to teach colored children. I shall set them at work if I can.
On Tuesday I mailed to you the formal description of 1,080 acres of abandoned lands in this