Viewing page 42 of 45

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

70 

State Superintendent of common schools, of whom I wrote you that I would like to get him into the Bureau, has intimated his willingness to accept but has been all the month confined to his bed. 
The visit of Mr Millen was encouraging, and I hope a school may come of it. We are reviewing our correspondence and other measures to get the ball in motion and give it respectable dimensions.
This report is transmitted to you by the hand of Lt Col Wright, who has during the past week been relieved by Bt Lt Col Edwin Buchan.  I much regret the necessity that summons Col Wright, on every ground. I have talked more intimately with him than with anyone here, and he can fully supplement this report, written by snatches. What I have seen of Col Buchan gives promise that the relations which we have enjoyed with Col Wright, will soon be established with him.
For a concluding observation, I think the State is quieting down, and that while there may not be any decided growth of what we went, there is yet a gradual abatement of what we feel bound to repress.
I am General,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
Bt Major General

71
Office Asst Commissioner
Bureau R. F & A.L.
Montgomery, Ala. Oct 2nd 1865

Maj Gen O. N. Howard
Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen &
Abandoned Lands

General;
My usual weekly report dated on Monday last was forwarded to you next day by mail. By the same mail I forwarded to you a carefully considered statement of our necessities in the matter of resources, with an application in three changes for the necessary relief. I think it will receive favorable action.
During the week past, I have received from you copies of Circular No sixteen, which as I read it makes me responsible for the State, including North Alabama heretofore detached. I have written to Genl Fisk, asking him if he is of the same mind, to send me such particulars as are necessary to complete reports; all orders now in force there: and such suggestions as can be used for the good of the service.
The proceedings of the Convention have been sent to you regularly during the week. That body adjourned Saturday evening, to be re-convened at the call of the President, Hon Benj Fitzpatrick. Its proceedings relative to Freedmen are expressed in ordinances viz;"Be it ordained by the people of the State of Alabama
"in convention assembled. that as the institution
"of slavery has been disbanded in the State of Alabama,
"hereafter, their shall be neither slavery nor involuntary
"servitude in the State, otherwise, than for the punishment of
"crime, whereof the party shall be duly convicted."
Be it further ordained: That the Constitution be
"amended by striking out all provisions in relation to
"slaves and slavery."