Year: 1868

assistant com missioner. The post commanders
or other military officers on duty in yoar state
can very proeerly be intrusted with the same
duties now performed by the Bureau officers.


The distribution OF ratlonS In Virgins for last
year has been principally confined TO Richmond
anc large cities. The same necessity may exist
the coming winter. 1t Is time that the civil
authorities assume this burden. | am aware
that they represent t0eir inability to supply the
poor, and are prone 10 neglect the colored
paupsrs. l am satisfied that If their disposition
TO aid all, without distinction of race or color,
WAS equal to their means, there would be little
difficulty in the way. SO long as the Bureau Is
continued, or the General Government con-
tinues TO support the pauper class, the local
necessary, in order TO prevent suffering, for
Government to continue q limited issue OF
supplies, this may be done through the military
officers. The military commander has also
power, believe, to enforce the support OF pau.
pers by civil authorities in counties which, in
mis- judgment, are able to do go.


| can continue the school work in Virginia
aud eneTgize its operations with all the means
at my command. This believe TO be the wisest
expenditure OF the balance of the funds devoted
TO it by law that can be made for the freedmen
and ter those white children we can reach under
the term of loyal refugees. Their education is
more important than al else, and through
schools we can reach the end we all seek, more
directly than in any other way. ] am there
fore, anxious to be able to expend as much as
possible Of the appropriation remaining
on hand for educational work, rather than
u'o it for purposes which | think can as
well be accom- Olished by other means. hope
TO give you all the aid necessary Tor keeping np
Your schools. The officers left in your State for
this work can continue to act as advisers aud
friends of the ireedmtn, and can exert as much,
and perhaps more, moral influence tnan they do
now. he number, 1t is true, Will be limited,
but the nature of their duties will necessarily
carry them into all portions of the State and
bring them into direct and constant communi-
cation with the freedmen.


believe none of us have wished to ensraft
the Freedmen's Bureau as a permanent institu-
tion upon the Government. THIS being the
case, it's substantial removal can as easily be
effected now as at any subsequent time. The
educational relief is doubly limited; first, by the
small balance offuuds devoted to this object;
and secondly, by the prompt adoption of a
school system bv the several States folio wing
loyal reconstruction. A little aid, such as
the General Government Is now atfordlng, in
conjunction with the contributors of benevo-
lent societies and the freedmen them
selves, Will be enough to keep alive the school
interest TIL the State system shall actually re.
place our work, as has been done already, par
TALLY, in Tennessee. The normal schools, aca-
denies and colleges will of course have to
depend mainly, as all such have done through
out our land in the past, on private donations.
They are, however, 80 important TO bring up
the standard oteducation and keep alive gene
raj interest in it, and I am anxious to give them
this year all poss ble impulse. Very truly
yours, o. .. HOWARD, Major r-General,


Commissioner.