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065

Alexandria July 22nd 1867
Capt S.P. Lee
Esteemed Sir -
The Circular letter of Genl. O.O. Howard in regard to intemperance among the Freedmen youth & the propriety of organizing Temperance Societies among them, is before me - also your letter of inquiry as to what has been done to consummate the proposed plan &c. Permit me to say briefly - my heart has alway been in sympathy with every movement or proposed plann to elevate the Freedmen & especially have I regard'd intemperance as being most detrimental not only to the Freedmen but to every people class in society - (my efforts have been therefor from the very first of my labors of reformation & moral culture among the Freedmen to get them to regard Temperance in all things as is most essential to their true elevation in Society &c. And that intemperance is most disrespectful & most degrading to them & will be to their children. And I am happy to say my efforts in this, have been encouraging to me by seeing some of the pleasing results. First I have made intemperance a church discipline & although the evil is not entirely eradicated yet the indications are ere long it will be -

Transcription Notes:
3.16.2024 - Transcribed per guidelines (spelling transcribed as is) and marking for review