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and thus enable us to have the benefits of religious instruction, feeling that it will be only an act of justice on the part of the Government, we have the honor to remain,

Very Respect.
Your Obt. Servts.
Joseph Brite
James M Bass
William Bass

Portsmouth Va, Feb 22nd, 1869.

The undersigned would most respectfully represent to the Department that we have known the applicants to the above petition for years, as well as the Society whom they represent, and feel no hesitation in endorsing them.

We would state that the settlement whom they represent are the descendants of a former tribe of Indians located in the county of Norfolk, they have intermarried to some extent with the white population, but not sufficient to destroy their original nationality, they number at the present time about 80 persons: men, women and children. 

During the late rebellion, efforts were made to induce the men to enter the rebel army, but they refused, and they have always been noted for their loyalty to the Government. They have always borne an excellent reputation for industry, honesty and so-

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