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precise figures in December last thereby four hundred thousand & odd dollars. Perhapse this aggregate has since been disbursed: but I should like to know what became of it?

It was paid into the Treasury, I know, but lay there as Mr Risley emphatically assured me, Subject to the order of the Secretary of the Treasury as Trustee for the Freed people. Mr Fessenden formally directed Mr Risley at that time to enquire into all the law & the facts & to report to him. Mr Risley did carefully enquire & report, & Mr Fessenden then told me that there seemed to be no doubt of his entire authority to dispose of the fund; but that he did not expect to remain long in the Department, and did not wish to add the administration of so large a fund to to other duties already too numerous. Whether the last year's income was greater or lesser, I do not know; but the statements