Viewing page 34 of 274

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Bureau Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands
OFFICE CHIEF DISBURSING OFFICER,
Washington Feb. 6th, 1867.

Respectfully returned to Maj Genl Howard, with the remark that the ten additional teachers can be paid, under the same authority as Teachers in Ala. are now paid, but all payment of Teachers should cease as soon as possible. It is very doubtful, whether under the present law, this Bureau has the power to rent land, on which to erect school buildings when no power is given it to build such buildings any further than can be included under the head of repairs, hence if Genl Swayne rents the lots proposed, he cannot build the School houses, for the reason before given, For the same reason we could not buy the Baptist College, but could rent and repair it, if it was owned by other parties, and used for school purposes. The fund of $30.000. spoken of by Genl Swayne, must be expended according to law.

Geo W. Balloch
Bvt. Brig. Genl., and Chief D.O.,
Bureau R.F. & A.L.