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and in a flourishing condition numbering two hundred and ninety day and ninety night pupils and having connected with it a Sunday school which is attended by one hundred & fifty adults and children. As already stated to you in a previous communication there is great danger that it will have to be closed, unless funds can soon be raised to purchase a building in which to teach and the closing of it I would consider an event very disastrous to the advancement of the Freedpeople in virtue, intelligence, and the ability to take care of themselves and their interests-

On my arrival here rumors were flying about that the students intended to burn down the schoolhouse during the holidays- No attempt of the kind has been made- and, on Christmas eve the Negroes held a fare in it to raise funds for its purchase and they were not disturbed by any one.

You will recollect that I left Richmond with the assurance that if I had good reason to believe myself in danger here, soldiers would be sent for my protection and for that of the Freedmen. Such a contingency has not yet arrived, nor do I think there is a probability of its arising- As affairs stand now I can see no good likely to result from the presence of Troops, but on the contrary, much evil from the inevitable clashing between them and the students and cadets that would be almost sure to follow their arrival.

The freedpeople hold divine worship in two churches in Lexington, and their assemblies- which are of considerable size- have never been disturbed.
The greater part of the negroes in the county