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Plains, the colored people say they cannot put up a house without more assistance, having purchased the lot, it would, taken altogether, be too heavy a tax on them as they are very poor and all they have is obtained by hard work at small price. They say they can support a school of 40 to 50 schollars, and have an attendance at their Sabbath school of 90 schollars, average. With an additional appropriation of $100.00 they think they could put up a good house, one at least that would answer their purpose. I would recommend the additional appropriation, and that John M. Meek be authorized to have the house put up without delay. 

I did not make any contracts for building at any point, from the fact that the colored people had to have time to furnish all the material they could and it could not be positively ascertained what they could do; and until they had done all they could no definite arrangements for building could be made: consequently I authorized responsible men to make the contracts for building as soon as everything was in readiness.

They being residents, and acquainted with all the carpenters they can probably make better contracts than I could have made, being an entire stranger.

I have the honor to be Lieut,
Your Most Obedient Servant
J.M. Tracy Capt. V.R.C. and Supt. Building Churches & School houses.
Bureau R.F. & A.L. State of Tenn.