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[Ed. Form, No. 4.]

[[stamp]] The National Archives of the United States [[/stamp]]

Sub-Assistant Commissioner's (or Agent's) Monthly Report on Education of Freedmen, and Refugees in Sub=District, State of  Alabama in charge of R Blair Agt. for the Month of January 1868, [in accordance with order contained in Circular No. 5, Bureau R.,F., & A.L.]

1.  Name of your Sub-District?  Tuscaloosa, comprising the Co's. of Tuscaloosa, Pickens, Fayette, Marion, Winston, Walker, Jones & Jefferson.
2.  Whole number of Refugee or Freedmen's Schools in the District?  3
Day?  3
Night?  1
Sabbath?  2
3.  Location of Schools?  Tuscaloosa.
4.  Whole number of Teachers?  3
White?  3
Colored?  0
5.  Names and post-office address of Day=School Teachers?  Miss E. L. Benton, Miss Mary Ryan, Mr. Richard Furman, P.O. Address of all Tuscaloosa, Ala
6.  Whole number of School=houses for Freedmen in your District?
Their condition, capacity, value, and by whom owned?  Miss Benton rents Mrs. Julia C Avery's large Parlors where she teaches her School, it is capable of accommodating perhaps 75. Miss Ryan & Mr. Furman, rent small Rooms, and, ask no assistance  
7.  Number of your visits to Schools?  1
Day?  1
Night?
Sabbath?
8.  Number of educational meetings held by you during the month?  None
Where?  It has been unadvisable on account of the hostile feelings  
9.  Number and names of places, now destitute, in which Day-Schools might be organized?  two, Carrolton, Pickens Co, and Elyton Jefferson Co, The other Co's. in this Sub. Dist't. have very few Col'd. Person in them.
10.  Number of pupils (estimated) who would attend such Schools?  75 or 100. perhaps.
11.  Amount which would probably be raised by the Freedmen, for school purposes, in each destitute neighborhood?  very little if anything, as they are all very Poor.
12.  What efforts are you making to secure the support of schools by pupils, parents, boards of education, or the State government?  I have not been able to do anything, and do not no that is possible to do anything, until a better feeling exists, which I hope will be brought about before long. 
13.  Whole number of additional School-houses, for Freedmen, now wanted in your Sub-District?  it would be desirable to have one in Tuscaloosa, Carrolton, & Elyton; yet I have some fears they would be Burned.
14.  Could you organize your Sub-District into School Districts, each with a School Committee pledged to carry on schools therein?  Impossible at this time. The Spirit of Rebellion is more violent and intollerent than ever it has been since the Sum[[?]].
15.  To what extent would help from without be needed in such cases?  almost intirely.
16.  What is the public sentiment as to the education of the Freedmen and Poor Whites?  not very friendly, about here.
17.  Are Night-Schools for Adults needed in your District?  Yes
In what way could they be carried on?  by employing good Teachers
18.  What more can this Bureau do for educating the children of Refugees (or Poor Whites)?  nothing, except by employing good Teachers
19.  How long will Northern charitable aid be needed for Freedmen and Refugee Schools of your District?  Impossible to say, as much depends upon what the State Authorities will do, after the State gets back in the union

I hereby certify, on honor, that I have given personal attention to the matters herein named, and that the answers given are, according to my best knowledge and belief, correct.

R. Blair
Sub-Asst. Com., Bureau R., F., & A.L.

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