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N. 7 vol 2/69. R.

Now to the point: if by any means we can raise money enough to pay for a school-house lot, will not the Freedmens Bureau build the house? I do not see how these poor, struggling people will ever have a school-house unless they get it in that way.

I am told that the Bureau has given Dr Backus reason to expect an appropriation for this purpose of $1500; but that sum is too small. A house large enough to accommodate all the colored children of Portsmouth ought to be built. It will be economy to build with that view, as it would save buying another lot. Possibl two thousand dollars would build a house large enough. Miss Hancock's at Richmond, cost about $2,000; but she had a good deal of old material given her by the government. 

I should be glad to know that your attention has been drawn to this subject

I am very respectfully
Joseph Stockbridge
Chaplain, USN.

Bureau R.F. & A.L
Recd Nov 26, 69
Washington