Letters Received
setName: label: See more items in
content: Records of the Education Division of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865–1871
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAAHC.FB.M803, Series 4
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The unbound letters received consist of one series of letters entered in registers 1–3 and three series of unregistered letters.

The series of registered letters received, September 27, 1866–January 5, 1871, are arranged in the order in which they are entered in the registers. The letters received are from State superintendents of education, assistant commissioners, subassistant commissioners, and Bureau agents, and from secretaries of benevolent societies and private citizens relating to education. The series also contains such related documents as copies of congressional legislation concerning education and copies of various State constitutions containing educational provisions. 

Near the top of the outside fold of the letters is the register file number in script or as part of a preprinted statement. The notation "E. D." indicates that the letter is entered in the Education Division register. The notation "R.F.A.L." as part of the file number on many letters indicates that the letter is entered in the Bureau registers.

The outside fold also contains the name of the writer, the purpose of the letter, and frequently the circular Bureau stamp showing the date the letter was received by the Bureau. Notations by the Education Division show the date the letter was received and filed in that Division. The three series of unregistered letters, 1865–1870, consist of letters from Bureau officials, miscellaneous letters, and letters pertaining to financial matters. The letters from Bureau officials (August 1865–May 1870) are arranged alphabetically by name of State in which the official served and thereunder chronologically. The miscellaneous letters (June 1865–March 1871) were received from private citizens and from officials of benevolent societies. Also included are such related documents as histories of some philanthropic societies. The communications are arranged chronologically. A few miscellaneous circulars, working copies of reports, and undated letters and reports are filed at the end of the series. The letters pertaining to financial affairs (March 1865–March 1870) were received by Reverend Alvord in his dual capacity as General Superintendent of Education and as President of the Freedman's Savings and the Trust Company, the letters are relevant to the activities of the Education Division.