Extracts from Letters of Teachers and Superintendents of the New-England Educational Commission for Freedmen
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
OF
TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS
OF THE
New-England Educational Commission
FOR
freedmen.
fourth series.
January 1, 1864.
BOSTON:
DAVID CLAPP, PRINTER......334 WASHINGTON STREET.
1864.
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
OF
TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS
OF THE
New-England Educational Commission
FOR
freedmen.
fourth series.
January 1, 1864.
BOSTON:
DAVID CLAPP, PRINTER......334 WASHINGTON STREET.
1864.
OFFICERS
OF THE NEW-ENGLAND EDUCATIONAL COMMISSION FOR FREEDMEN.
President, His Excellency, John A. Andrew.
Vice Presidents.
|
Rev. Jacob M. Manning |
Prof. William B. Rogers. |
|
Treasurer, Mr. William Endicott, Jr.
Recording Secretary, Mr. Edward Atkinson.
Corresponding Secretary, Mr. John Albee.
Committee on Teachers.
|
Dr. LeBaron Russell |
Miss. Hannah E. Stevenson. |
|
Committee on Clothing.
|
Mrs. Samuel Cabot, Jr. |
George Atkinson. |
|
Committee on Correspondence.
|
Dr. Henry I. Bowditch. |
Miss Ellen Jackson. |
|
Committee on Finance.
|
Edward Atkinson. |
William I. Bowditch. |
|
Clothing and Supplies received at Wellington, Bros. & Co.'s,
No. 103 Devonshire Street.
Office, No 8 Studio Building,
Tremont Street, Boston.
NEW-ENGLAND EDUCATIONAL COMMISSION
for freedmen.
Since the publication of the Annual Report, the Commission has been actively engaged in sending out Teachers, Superintendents, and material aid to the Freedmen of the South and West. In South Carolina the schools have now been in operation more than a year and a half, and the progress made by the colored pupils is considered by the teachers as at least equal to that of pupils in Northern schools. The success of the industrial movement among the Freedmen of Port Royal is equally marked with that of the schools. They have shown a capacity for intelligent and continued labor which would do credit to any community. The most industrious among them have not only supported their own families, but have accumulated no inconsiderable amount of money. Some of them have purchased lands, which they cultivate with energy and profit. In Virginia and North Carolina the success of the schools has been as great, in proportion to the time during which they have been in operation, as in South Carolina. The Freedmen in those States have also shown the same readiness to labor that has characterized them at Port Royal. Encouraging progress has been made in the reorganization of labor among the Freedmen of the Southwestern States, and in many localities valuable crops have been raised by them during the past season.
The Freedmen within our lines in South Carolina are now self-supporting, and need no further contributions of material aid. Those in Virginia and North Carolina are fast becoming so, while the great destitution of many families among those at the West, it is hoped and believed, will cease as soon as the plans now in progress for employing them upon the land early in the coming spring are perfected and put in operation. This Commission has already distributed a large amount of clothing and supplies, and will continue to aid those actually in want, to the extent of its ability. But it is particularly desirous to discourage among them the idea that such aid is to be permanent. This kind of assistance is regarded only as temporary, to be discontinued as soon as the immediate necessity has passed away.
The chief objects of this Commission have been the education and elevation of the Freedmen by means not only of schools and teachers, but of all influences that shall encourage industry, self-reliance and self-respect. For these purposes, as well as for the support of immediate relief to those in need, it still asks for further contributions to its funds. The field of its labor is constantly enlarging, and new efforts are demanded to meet the increasing wants. It has hitherto confined its action chiefly to the Atlantic States, but it has now an agent in New Orleans, with a view of extending its influence to those of the South West. The amount of good already accomplished by this Association, with so small an amount of funds, is believed to be almost without parallel among enterprises of this character. It has demonstrated, by actual experiment, the capacity of the Freedmen for self-support, and shown that the transition from slavery to freedom is neither difficult nor dangerous if made under friendly and judicious guidance.
To enable the Commission to continue and extend its operations, to send out more teachers and establish new schools, which are urgently called for, it is necessary that additional subscriptions of money should be obtained. For this object the formation of Auxiliary Associations in the cities and towns of New England is earnestly recommended. Such Associations can render most efficient aid by forwarding funds for the support of Teachers to the Treasurer of this Commission. They will be invited to select Teachers from among those in the service of the Commission, whose salaries they will be responsible for, with whom they may correspond, and to whose care they may send clothing and supplies for the Freedmen.
Auxiliary Associations, which have been already formed in several towns, are now in successful operation. This Commission will act as the central agent for all New-England Associations.
Boston, January 1st, 1864.