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278 516. Head qrs. Dist. of Texas. Bureau R.F & A.L. Austin, Texas, March 20, 1868. Newcombe James P. San Antonio Texas, 0/ L.R (N5.) Sir, Yours of the 18 inst is received concerning the purchase of the Government Tannery by the City of San Antonio and enclosing the letter of the Mayor of the City endorsing the bid made by you. General Reynolds has gone to New Orleans in command of the 5 Military District and I believe the bid made by you in behalf of the City was only verbal, it is necessary that it be in writing with a statement when the payment can be made in order that it can be forwarded to Genl. Howard who only can dispose of the property. In case the Bureau is not continued after the 16 July next full payment must be made previous to that day. Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. J.P. Richardson 1 Lieut. 26. Inf A. A. A. Genl. 511. Head qrs. Dist of Texas. Bureau R. F & A. L. Austin, Texas, March 20, 1868. Morrison John H, Sub Asst Comr. Galveston Texas 424 Sir, It is desirable to sell all the confiscated property belonging to the Bureau in this State and the Asst. Commissioner directs that you make endeavors to obtain bids for the different pieces of property in your Sub District; also that you forward a statement concerning the tracts of land and buildings connected therewith giving their worth, condition &c. In case any or all or all of the property can be sold all payments must be made previous to or the 16 July next, unless the Bureau is continued by a new Act of Congress. Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt. J. P. Richardson 1 Lt 26 Inf A. A. A. G. 279 578. Head qrs. Dist of Texas Bureau R. F & A. L. Austin, Texas, March 21. 1868. Howard Maj. Gen. O. O. Commissioner &c Washington, D. C. ✓ 508/516 General, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29 ult. asking for reasons of the diminished attendance in our schools. These reasons can be briefly given, In 1865 and 1866 the schools for Freedmen in Texas were self supporting,- the cost of instruction being defrayed by tuition fees, which were necessarily heavy, and debarred many of the poorer class from school privileges. A considerable fund having meanwhile accrued from the rents of confiscated property, and other local sources of income, it was ordered by the Commissioner in January 1867, that this fund should be expended in support of teachers. A salary ranging from Twenty five to Forty dollars a month was accordingly paid each teacher; the tuition rates reduced to a nominal sum, and the school thus made substantially free. Under this stimulus, throughout the spring and early summer of 1867, our schools made great advance, growing continually in numbers and improving in quality. The first great blow at their prosperity was struck by the Epidemic, which wasted the whole seaboard of the State from July till November, and paralyzing all educational activity. In November of last year scarcely one tenth of the Schools continued in operation; some of the teachers had died, and many who left the state declined to return. As the fund for payment of teachers was exhausted, and largely in arrears, with no means of replenishment. It became a necessity therefore, to resume the self-supporting plan, and largely increase the expense of Instruction, as the earnings of Freedmen were small in consequence of the low price and small yield of the cotton crop, the augmented rates of tuition caused the withdrawal of many of the pupils, December being the month of transition, the lowest point of Educational depression was then reached. Every succeeding month has shown a marked and rapid school growth. In January our Teachers and Agents report an increased attendance on the previous of twelve hundred pupils and it is confidently anticipated that the statistics of February and March will prove equally satisfactory. My Superintendent reports that the monthly school returns up to February have been duly forwarded. (over)
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