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187

March 23d
Mr. Chauncey Park Abingdon Va.

Dear Sir: Your communication to the trustees of your school dated Feb. 16. and their petition to Capt. ONeill have been referred to me. The papers only reached these head quarters on the 15th at which time I was absent from the city.

The letter and petition are both highly creditable to their authors, for the interest they evince in a noble work. But I think your plan to erect a building to accommodate 300 pupils overlooks a certain fact of human nature, in general, and which has been abundantly verified in our experiences with the Colored people; viz: That the zeal they now evince for schools will abate, and much more restricted limits will be adequate. There are no exceptions to this rule so far as I have observed among these people, as there are few exceptions among whites, even where there is much better pecuniary ability to dispense with the labor of children in the support of the family. It is better to provide fully for the wants of Abingdon and the immediate vicinity, and attempt nothing more. This advice is enforced by the necessities we are under. The amt. asked for could not be appropriated at this season of the year, out of the old congressional appropriation.

Why not enlarge the house you have, making two rooms of it? This could be done at much less expense and for it, probably, some assistance could be had. I shall soon hear from Washington, as to the farther resources which may be put in our hands, and after hearing from you again will return your papers with the most liberal endorsement I may be able. Truly Yours
R.M. Manly