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[Copy]
Selma Sept 19th 1866

Geo. Sharkley
1st Lieut 15th U.S. Inf.
Superintendent Freedmen's Bureau &c
Dear Sir: Your communication of Sept. 17th /66 is just received and contents noted. Upon conference with his Honor the Mayor, the following answer is returned.
The Federal Government having made ample provision, by act of Congress, for the comfort and protection of sick destitute freedmen, and being abundantly supplied with the necessary appliances for the successful execution of its designs in that respect, the City Authorities have made no arrangements whatever relative to that subject. The City finances are such that she only assumes imperative pecuniary obligations. It taxes her in no small measure to provide for the sick  white paupers who are not covered by the above mentioned acts. This class of our population is large and steadily increasing; and I presume will be rendered rapidly larger next