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more accessible, the wants of the freedmen would be better known.

Two Officers Bvt. Maj. Smith 35th Infantry, and Capt. Emerson 26th Inf'ty, were on trial before a General Court Martial at San Antonio of embezzlement. Two or three other officers had proved worthless, and had been discharged by Gen'l Reynolds. One Mr R. Johnston, had absconded with an unknown amount of fines which he had collected, but three hundred dollars had been secured, from the amount due him for salary.

I recommend that much care be exercised in selecting agents, and that an increased salary, say of $950, be paid to good reliable men, rather than smaller salary to less responsible men. Few of the Civil appointees in this State receive over $100 per month.

The schools in this State have been culpably neglected by the local Sup't. He has paid but little attention to wants of the freed-people in school matters, no inspections have been made, and no pains taken to ascertain where schools may be maintained. Little has been done towards erecting houses or providing the schools already established with suitable buildings. I visited the schools, and at Houston, Galveston and Austin, found them well conducted and the pupils making good progress. At Houston the rooms occupied are ill adapted to the purpose, and really not comfortable.

Of the appropriation of $25,000 but about $1000 has been expended this year. I recommend that the commissioner be instructed to take measure, to secure lots, and erect suitable buildings at Austin,