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[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]
G 64

OFFICE [[strikethrough]] Sub [[/strikethrough]] Actg ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER 
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 
Savannah, Ga., December 11th 1865.

General,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 9th inst in which among other things you say, "the Tribune accuses you of saying "Negroes can never expect equality and may be worse off free than as slaves, I do not believe you said it, report by letter."

I beg leave to [[strikethrough]]state [[/strikethrough]] report that throughout the State great [[strikethrough]] injury and [[/strikethrough]] harm has been done by 
well-meaning but thoughtless public speakers who have given the freed people unreal and mistaken ideas of freedom, equality and the rights secured to them by the Proclamation of the President, the laws of Congress and the success of our Arms. I find it necessary to try [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] and convey to them in careful simple language. Clear and distinct ideas upon these important subjects, to show them exactly what rights they