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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedman, and Abandoned Lands, 
Washington, September 6th 1866.

Bvt. Maj. Genl. Wager Swayne
Asst Comm'n for Alabama

Dear General,
I learn from Colonel Balloch that teachers of Freedman's schools have been paid in Alabama.  I have been very careful elsewhere not to assume the payment of teachers, leaving that item to benevolent associations, to the regions themselves, or to local authorities.  
In this way thousands of teachers can be secured.  I have no appropriations to cover it, except the proceeds of "Confederate Property".  New Orleans, under Bank's Military order, was for a time an exception, but after Gen'l Baird went there it was no longer so.  Your School Superintendent should write to any of the associations for teachers if he needs them. 
I will take the risk of the past expenditures, and would not bring schools to a sudden termination, but just as soon as practical we must stop paying teachers. surely by Nov'r 1st