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which I presume is all that is claimed. It has been suggested that you propose to district towns and require children residing within certain limits to attend certain schools. While such a rule would not hinder those commissions, which impart simply secular learning, it is evident it would greatly obstruct ours which with secular learning gives religious instructions  We establish our schools in connexion with some parish and some clergymen, and our purpose is to build up a church or congregation eventually. You will perceive as the parents will probably be scattered through the town, their children will reside in different districts. We rejoice in whatever is done for the freedmen by any body, but think that our own way is better; combining as it does religious instruction with secular. Gen Howard gives to our Commission his most hearty approval and cooperation, as you will perceive from an address of his, made at a meeting on its behalf in Philadelphia, which I send with this.

Be so kind, my dear Sir, as to inform me definitely what your plan of operations is, and precisely what you require of schools, to obtain your aid. We only wish to guard our right to give religious instruction, and to have an opportunity to gather in those who may desire to receive it. We need all the aid the Bureau can give, and Gen Howard has promised us