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Savannah Ga. July 26. 1865-

Dear Mr. Alvord. -
As you are about leaving Savannah, I take the liberty of putting a few thoughts in writing, which may serve as a memorandum of some of the matters we have talked about.

The great work of the Freedmen's Bureau is to bring the poor men of the South, white and black, into such a position that they will no longer be dependent upon the rich, and where they need not rely upon the help of Northern benevolent societies, or upon the assistance of Government. They are all citizens, but in great measure dependent citizens. We are to make them independent, and to leave them in the possession of every attainment and privilege necessary to the maintenance of that independence.

Of course it is indispensable that they should have land of their own. Or else, as soon as the Army is withdrawn, there will be secret combinations among capitalists, like those in Virginia, for the purpose of enforcing a system of low wages and semi-slavery.- and the poor will be crushed.

Once landholders, they are to look to the education of their children and young men, many of whom will prefer pursuits connected with mercantile