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of which you speak can be made except some one taken the contract. Cannot you or the Major put the work out on contract? I am authorized to pay one hundred and fifty dollars to four different places, and do not hesitate to say that this amount can be increased if need be to seem suitable schoolhouses at those points.

A Methodist Association of Cincinnati have given me good reason to hope that they will speedily occupy the fields of Enfanta and Next Point. This being the case, Mr Vincent, should he come, can occupy one of the most important places in your section of country, That he should do this, is, I believe your desire. I prefer Mr Vincent should be commissioned by some Association even though it be without salary. I will guarantee him seventy five dollars per month, if he be the man for the work. Should he be commissioned, his transportation will be refunded. - Perhaps so if he come without commission. -

In regard to other teachers whom you may want in your district, I will leave it with you to secure them from your locality or from the North ; provided, always you try your best to get good, experienced teachers. If you can get them from aid so action do so: this is preferable; if not, get them as you did the two last, or get Southern men or women

I think I have touched upon all the points, and have tried to make careful and dear statements. I think your own judgement will point out the best method to pursue. Consult freely with Major Tierce for whom, on account of his ability, practical knowledge and high character, I have great respect.

Very respectfully
C.W. Buckley
Superintendent Education.-

letter 23

Office Superintendent Education
Montgomery Ala. Dec 20th 1866

Arms Chas. C. Esq.
Tuscaloosa Ala:

Dear Sir:

Your letter of Dec. 3rd came to hand a day or two since, I was pleased with the frankness of the tone, and shall reply in the same candid spirit.

Captain Pick has conveyed to you my idea exactly of the nature of the work to be performed by an educated and experienced teacher in your portion of the State. My main object in getting a young man aquainted [[acquainted]] with free schools system to come to Tuscaloosa, - the seat in the state, of letters as well as aristocracy, was to act and work in the "double capacity of Superintendent and teacher." I wanted some one to go to that place, who should not only teach colored children, but who should inaugurate a system of graded schools, on a free system basis. Hence your work was to be new in its character to the people of Alabama. Your school was, in due time, to attract attention not only for its excellence but by reason of superiority of system. This system of which there was a single instance in Tuscaloosa was to be extended to other places until a chain of schools should surround the place.

In furtherance of this view I have written Captain Pick that I would supply you with the best of teachers, that you might absorb the other schools of the place; and if need be, I will pay a liberal rent for a building ample enough and central enough to accommodate all the pupils of the place. This has been my idea, to this end I have been working in other places and in your town.

To act as Superintendent is essential first to have some thing on somebody, to direct and control. It is my wish now to have the