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be no doubt as to their ability to have their house finished by the first day of September.

I authorized Mr. Pucket to assure the mechanic who took the job that there would be no doubt as to his getting his pay as soon after the work is completed as the necessary vouchers could be made out and signed and forwarded to Maj. Marshall. I directed him as I did all others to keep a strict account of all purchases, &c. that there might be no misunderstanding on making a final settlement, and that the Assistant Commissioner could be satisfied that the money appropriated for educational and religious purposes had been properly expended. 

As a supplement, I would state that the colored people of Clinton have not been as liberally dealt with as else where, but this is their own fault as I understand they only asked for $100.00 from the Bureau this account in addition to what they have will not be sufficient to complete their building and to do so they will necessarily have to tax themselves beyond their ability to pay, as they have already done about all they are able to do this year, and in view of the probable failure at New Market, Rodgersville and Loudon, I would most respectfully recommend that the appropriation for Clinton be increased from $100.00 to $200.00, an increase of $100.00 I think will enable them to erect a good school house, which they can hardly do without further assistance from the Bureau without doing themselves an injustice. 

$100.00 was appropriated to aid in building at Strawberry