Viewing page 247 of 281

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

so that the Asst. Commissioner should be kept informed of the amount issued, and the class to whom the supplies were furnished.
   The Com received at Columbia by Major Harkesheimer came in very bad condition, the bags were imperfect and there had been considerable loss.  The Bacon did not hold out as to the number of pounds, as advised from the Office of the Asst. Commissioner.  Mayor Harkesheimer informed me that he was two thousand pounds short for the month of May.
   There is, no doubt, considerable destitution in South Carolina, and probably some suffering might result from the cutting off of rations.  In some cases it may simulate the freed people to industry in aiding them to make a crop, but as general rule, I believe it detrimental to their future welfare.  What the freedpeople most need to be taught, is habits of prudence and providence, as long as they can get rations from the Bureau, they do not feel the necessity  of steady hard labor and rigid economy.
   I visited several Schools in the State.  One of the best is the Howard School, at Columbia, under the superintendence of Miss Haley from the American Missionary Association.  The appearance of the pupils was very creditable, and the progress which they had made reflected much credit upon the excellent corps of teachers engaged there.