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352 -181- Bureau Refugees Freedmen, And Aban'd Lands, State of Tennessee Asst Commissioner's Office Nashville, Tenn., November, 18th 1868. Howard, Maj. Genl. O.O. Commissioner Bureau R.F.& A.L. Washington, D.C. General: I have the honor to transmit herewith enclosed copy of Circular No. 14, C.S., issued from this Office Nov. 17th 1868. I am, General, Very respectfully, Your obdt. serv't [[blank]] Bvt. Lieut. Col. U.S.A. Asst. Commr. -182- Bureau Refugees Freedman and Aban'd Lands, State of Tennessee, Assistant Commissioner's Office, Nashville, Tenn. Nov. 18th 1868. Howard, Maj. Genl. O.O. Commissioner Bureau R.F. & A.L. Washington, D.C. General, I have the honor to forward herewith inclosed copy of Circular Letter issued from this office this day. I am, General, Very respectfully, Your obdt. Serv't [[blank]] Bvt. Lieut. Col. U.S.A. Asst. Commr. -183- Bureau Refugees Freedman and Aban'd Lands, State of Tennessee, Assistant Commissioner's Office, Nashville, Tenn. Novbr. 21st 1868. Howard, Maj. Genl. O.O. Commissioner Bureau R.F. & Ab'd Lands, Washington, D.C. 353 General, I have the honor to enclose herewith a statement of the financial affairs of the Bureau in this State, giving the amount of funds on hand, the amounts already appropriated, & promised, by my predecessor in Office, and the estimated amount of applications for aid. Mr. Barnum, Asst. Supt. of Education, is at work investigating the latter, and new applications will doubtless be made to him during his tour. He is now in West Tennessee. My object in sending this statement is to be informed to what extent assurances of aid in repairing school houses may be made, or what amount of funds will be allowed for expenditure in this State, and particularly as to the method of paying accounts so as to meet the requirements of the Bureau and of the Treasury Department. In the case of the Fisk University, The Trustees [[?]] their own plans and specifications and submitted them for consideration. Upon approval they invited proposals in writing, accepting the lowest. They then made a specific contract for the work. The Disbursing officer, cognisant of all this, then made a general Contract with the same party covering the cast sufficiently to enable him to pay vouchers for material and work done, subject to his inspection at any time retaining a copy of the Contract and sending one with his accounts. This course was pursued in case of Cent. Tenn. College, and it has been eminently satisfactory. Will this plan meet the requirements of the Authorities? Will it be necessary to make Contracts for expenditures of small sums of $50. or $100.? Is it necessary to advertise for proposals and to make 5 copies for Contract, sending one to Returns Office. Some accounts for repairs &c., to School houses in East Tenn., are forwarded for instructions as to payment. It does not appear that any contracts were made, nor is there any authority for the expenditure on file in this Office. If the wishes of the Commrs are made known to me as to the extent of the assistance to be granted and as to the method of expending money, I shall endeavor to observe them carefully. Very respectfully, Your obdt. serv't [[blank]] Bvt. Lieut. Col. U.S.A. Asst. Commr. State of Tenn.
