Letters Sent
setName: label: See more items in
content: Records of the Superintendent of Education for the State of Virginia, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865–1870
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAAHC.FB.M1053, Series 1
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The five volume of letters sent, March 2, 1866–August 31, 1870, are arranged chronologically; each volume contains a name index. All letters are press copies, which were made by pressing a written letter onto a very thin piece of moistened paper in a press–copying machine. Because the amount of ink transferred to the moistened paper varied considerably, some copies are difficult to read, while others are virtually illegible.

Most letters were sent to Bureau officials and teachers or representatives of benevolent societies assisting the educational program. Those addressed to subordinate officials and teachers deal with funds, buildings, and supplies. Letters to teachers also relay procedural instructions and occasional reprimands. Correspondence with organizations aiding the Bureau generally request additional teachers or discuss the program's successes or shortcomings. A number of letters also were sent to Commissioner Howard, Rev. Alvord, and the Assistant Commissioner for Virginia. Although many of these letters deal with routine matters, a few are lengthy commentaries about educational activities in the State. Vouchers for rent and other payments were copied in the last three volumes.