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parents of the children sending. One at "Shiloh" Church, which has hitherto been supported by a benevolent association from the North will, I am informed, close the present month. One in the extreme lower end of the County, is taught by a young colored man named William P Brown, and numbers about twenty (20) scholars, all of whom are either in their letters or simply read and spell. The school recently begun in the Court House Dist. is doing very well, numbering, about forty (40) scholars. This taught by William Van (col'd). I think both of these schools should receive some assistance from the Bureau, the nature of which I will represent in my application for that purpose. In addressing the colored people I have invariably spoken to them upon the subject of Temperance, and earnestly advised them against the use of intoxicating drinks. They seem, as a rule, to warmly appreciate the good advice; but I apprehend there will be very little success in organizing Temperance Societies among them for some time to come.* Very Respectfully, Your obt serv't, Ira Ayer Jr. Bvt Col & A.S.A.C. *I mean by this that while they are bound to approve of the doctrine, they do not as yet seem at all inclined to pledge themselves to "abstain from the use of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage." I.A.