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1.
Bureau R.F. & A.L.
Asst. Commr's Office.
Nashville. Tenn. Jany 3, 1868.

Palmer. Lieut. Col. F. S.
Sub. Asst. Commr.
Memphis, Tenn.

Colonel:
The letter of J. H. Barnum applying to the Bureau for aid towards paying his teachers, has been received. I write to say in reply thereto that I do not think it proper to make the Bureau responsible for the great expectations raised by the State functionarys in regard to schools.  Nor do I agree with you in the remark "the same amount of money cannot be expended in any other way with as beneficial results." Heretofore nearly all the School Fund of the Bureau has been expended in the large cities, where the several Societies confine their operations. The Bureau is now engaged in the promotion of education without the intervention of the Societies, and at points where they have not penetrated. The people of the rural Districts are much poorer, and less blessed heretofore with the benefits of schools and it is in these districts that I desire to expend the funds of the Bureau. If Mr Barnum will send some of his teachers to the country towns in West Tennessee, I will very cheerfully pay their salaries: and will do so with equal cheerfulness, if they will transfer their services to the Bureau & report for instructions to Mr. D. Burt, Supt. 
But to enable Mr. Barnum to relieve himself of his embarrassment, temporarily, and in the meantime to provide temporarily and in the meantime to provide otherwise for his teachers, I will rent the three buildings named in Memphis, at the rates specified, for one month only. 
Very respectfully Your Obdt Servt
W. P. Carlin
Bvt. Major Genl. U.S.A.
Asst. Commr.

555 and 556.

2.
Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Aband. Lands
State of Tennessee,
Assistant Commissioner's Office
Nashville, Tenn. Jany. 3d. 1868

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