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at my command. This I believe to be the wisest expenditure of the balance of funds devoted to it by law, that can be made for the freedmen, and for those white children we can reach under the term "loyal refugee". Their education is more important than all else, and through the schools we can reach the end we all seek more directly than in any other way. I am therefore anxious to be able to expend as much as possible of the appropriation remaining on hand for the educational work, rather than use it for purposes which I think can as well be accomplished by other means. I hope to give you all the aid necessary for keeping up your schools. The officers left in your State for this work can continue to act as advisers and friends of the freedmen, and can exert as much and perhaps more, moral influence than they now do. The number it is true will be limited, but the nature of their duties will necessarily carry