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Philad'a 5 mo 29 1865

Capt. O. Brown

Respected friend

Understanding that thou art appointed Commissioner for the care of Freedmen in the State of Virginia, I will take the liberty of occupying a few moments of thy time with a few queries as to what is proposed to be done by the new Bureau for these people whose status has been so suddenly and greatly changed.

While the matter was on a small scale it was comparatively easy to take a few farms and set the people to work as was successfully done by thee near Norfolk. It was also Comparatively easy to educate a few thousands thrown upon us at Yorktown, Hampton Norfolk &c when Government aid was liberally furnished in rations and school rooms. But how is it to be now when the war is ended, and hundreds of thousands and even millions are we trust forever free.

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