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Fayetteville  May 8th 1867
Rev. C.W. Buckley
Montgomery

[[stamp]] The National Archives of the United States [[/stamp]]

Dear Sir,
Yours of the 25th Ult. is before me. Feeling a deep interest in the great works intrusted, by the government to your hands I hasten to reply. You enquire as to the character of Mr. J.W. Perkins, and his qualifications for teaching. I should think him fully competent and I am happy to say, I have great confidence in his reformation. I am informed that formerly he was rather dissipated: but I have never even heard of his taking a drop of ardent spirits for the last two years. He is a  regular attendant, upon the ordinances of Gods house & I think is entertaining a hope of salvation through faith in Christ. Since his emancipation, Mr. Perkins has ever taken a very deep interest in the education, moral & mental of the negro. - I think he would not betray any trust you might impose in him. - One thing is clear we must have schools in this valley. There can be gathered together, probably within 10 miles of this place 4 or 5 schools, of 50 or 40 pupils. If the means could be obtained, I think our community is beginning to wake