Viewing page 83 of 139

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Freedmen's Rooms - 16 Court St. Brooklyn N.Y -
August 1, 1865 -

Col. O. Brown -

My Dear Sir - I have rec'd a letter from Capt. Wilder, in which he states that he has forwarded to you one which I wrote to him last Friday.  Assuming that you have rec'd it, I will not repeat my views, therein expressed, on the subject of this correspondence.  Capt. Wilder proposes - that I shall "not delay a day in sending Mr. Irish or some one else, who will go at once into making arrangements for doing a large business" - Or if I am not prepared to do so, he asks me to write you immediately - Accordingly I do so.

I feel this to be an undertaking, involving too much risque of pecuniary loss and reputation, for me to enter into, unless I have pretty secure guaranties that I can fulfill my promises to the public - A second failure in this business [[illegible]] be exceedingly injurious to my character - and to the cause we have so much common interest in.

I am prepared to act on something like the following conditions.

First -
I ought to have some official appointment as commissioner or Agent from yourself or Gen. Howard, and no other agent, or commissioners should be appointed for this locality, except with my consent, while I hold the position -

Second -
The business ought to be done in the name of the Department (Freedmen's Bureau,) as far as possible.  This will give a sort of authority and dignity, which will enable us to act with advantage.  Advertisement, circulars, &c. should have the sanction of the Bureau -

Third - This end of the operation is all I could undertake to manage - I could not assume any pecuniary responsibility, in inducing or gathering up Freedmen to come North. 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-01-13 13:27:52