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Lynchburg Va June 18th 1867

R.M. Manley
Supt Education Richmond Va

Dear Sir

In compliance with your request I will endeavor to give you my opinions, and convictions concerning the education of the colored people - It is painfully evident to every one, who is not influenced by prejudice, or whose judgment is not impaired by hatred for the race, that they must be educated. The white people, except in a few cases, manifest no disposition whatever to assist them in becoming enlightened; but on the contrary they do exhibit a very bold repugnance to any one and all, who are in any way connected with the schools for the freedmen. They will neither rent rooms for School purposes, or board teachers. But there would be no difficulty in raising a party to tar and feather a teacher, were they not in fear of the military, and its my candid conviction that if all restraint and fear of punishment by the military, were removed tomorrow morning, before the sun would sink in the western horizon, there would be but few freedmen's School houses standing throughout the whole South. And the teachers, if they escaped with their lives, would be compelled to take the first train northward bound.

We are all cognizant of the fact, that they entertain no sympathy for the North, and they only have a slave-owners sympathy for the colored race now. If they had any christian interest in them, would they not at least extend to them encouragement? - Would they not try to instruct them and endeavor to guide them right through