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and informed them of the importance of the objects had in view by the Genl Commissioner in urging this matter to their favorable consideration, they seemed to think that the information derived by the Genl Comr was entirely erroneous. That while they could not say they were entirely temperate yet they did not think that the use of strong drink among them amounted to gross or real intemperance and many of them appealed to ME to know how many of their color I had seen in a state of intoxication since my assignment to duty here 

I was obliged to say I have seen but one partially intoxicated Colored man since my stay of nearly one year. 

They are afraid if they pledge themselves to Total abstinance that they might break their pledge &c.
 
I had a long talk with their Clergyman Rev Harrison Blair who occasionally takes strong drink. he said he did not hardly feel that the movement would meet with favor among his Church people - he says that taking an occasional drink is not looked upon by him as a sin if practiced by any of his members or any one else but if any of his members be found intoxicated they would be expelled from the Church.

I talked with him sometime and although I am not a member of any Temperance Society nor never was neither am I intemperate yet I told him that if he would promise to sign the pledge and urge others to do so I would - in addition to an example of Temperance give them all the encouragement I could and advise