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Office Supt. B.R.F. & A.L.
District of Mobile
Mobile, Ala Jany 17th/66

Bv't. Col. Cadle Jr A.A.G.

Colonel;-
In submitting the following report (having reference to circular No. 22 dated War Dep't B.R.F. & A.L. Washington D.C. Dec'r 22nd 1865) of my administration, and of my experience and observation as to matters and things pertaining to and affecting the freedmen's interests, as the Sup't of the Freedmens Bureau for the District of Mobile, I confess I feel a most serious diffidence; and I fear that my diffidence and apprehensions will not be comprehended by the large class of people who, from locality and from observation are not or have not been able to obtain anything but a most imperfect understanding of the facts relative to the actual condition of things surrounding the Freedmen of the South. I fear that too much has been expected from the people generally, from the efforts of the Freedmens Bureau toward the advancement of the great body of human souls for whose advancement it has been constituted; and if some are disappointed in, and others even doubt the existing state of facts - I have only to suggest that the great work is, in reality, but just begun, in which theories have been too numerous and practical plans too imperfectly tried. If perfect success has not yet been the result of a wise and judicious administration in this matter, the cause exists in the greatness of the undertaking; the want of experience or precedent, which makes theories more or less experimental; and in a great multitude of opposing facts and influences.