character, and rapidly develop a style and type of manhood that must place them on an equality with any of the other races of men. We have seen this prejudice die out on the field of battle, where white and colored have fought together for the same flag. It has been met and conquered at the ballot-box and in the halls of our local and general legislatures, and why should it not receive the same fate in our school-rooms? Why educate American youth in the idea that superiority exists in the color of the skin, when our Declaration of Independence, of which we boast so much, flatly contradicts it? Very respectfully, CHARLES KING, Trustee of Colored Schools of Washington and Georgetown. | Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. Comparative view of the statistics of the school year 1869–270, (as given by Mr. A. E. Newton,) and the school year 1867-'68. WAR DEPARTMENT, BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS, Washington, D. C., June 24, 1870. GENERAL: I have the honor of reporting that the late examinations of the public colored schools of this city and Georgetown, sixty-three in number, have been most satisfactory. I have watched the progress of these schools with great interest since 1861. When the Bureau withdrew its special care two years since, and the board of colored rustees were appointed, some falling off or depreciation was feared. For a time this may have been true. Besides the withdrawment of benevolent patronage there were many changes of eachers, and time was required for the new board to gain experience. I am happy to say, however, that our fears have, in the main, been unrealized. These schools are a success. Teachers, a majority of them colored, have been adroit in organization and discipline and thorough in their instructions. Pupils evince culture in manners and character; good progress in study; in some cases remarkable talent. There are exceptions, as in all other schools, but the whole movement has been rapidly onward. The able superintendent and the board of trustees are to be congratulated in view of the results achieved. It is not too much to say that these gentlemen have been earnest and indefatigable, are now well acquainted with their work, and we shall expect from them still larger results in the future. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brevet Major General O. O. HOWARD, J. W. ALVORD, General Superintendent of Schools, Commissioner, &c., Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 16, 1871. DEAR SIR: Having examined my accounts as treasurer of colored schools for Washington and Georgetown thoroughly, and having also taken a complete list of the original papers and vouchers, I am gratified to know you are entirely satisfied with the accuracy of my final statement. As I had furnished the board of trustees with a complete record of these papers, and invited them to examine, at their pleasure, the original papers in my possession, I am surprised that any charges should have been made without first calling upon me for explanation. This matter concerns my honor as a man and citizen, and I feel it a duty to have it definitely settled beyond the power of any person to doubt my honesty or slander my character. I desire you, therefore, to request in my name the honorable the Secretary of the Interior to appoint some clerk or competent person to examine my accounts, and settle them under the rule adopted by that Department for the settlement of accounts of all disbursing officers. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES KING, Esq., Trustee of Colored Schools, ALFRED JONES. Late Trustee and Treasurer of Colored Schools. In obedience to law, a statement of the contracts of the Quartermaster's Department during the year ending December 31, 1870. JANUARY 23, 1871.-Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, January 19, 1871. The Secretary of War has the honor to submit to the Senate of the United States, in pursuance of law, the accompanying statement of the contracts of the Quartermaster Department during the year just closed. WM. W. BELKNAP, Secretary of War. Abstract of contracts made by the Quartermaster's Department during the year ending December 31, 1870, and those made prior thereto, but not received in time to be included in the last report. 20 Atlanta, Ga., November 15, 1800. 21 Atlanta, Ga., January 1, 1870. 22 New Orleans, La., January 12, 1870.. 23 New Orleans, La., December 29, 1869.. 27 Portland, Oreg., November 15, 1869... 28 Chicago, Ill., January 10, 1870. 30 Atlanta, Ga., Jannary 10, 1870. 38 San Francisco, Cal., January 19, 1870.. 39 Little Rock, Ark., December 28, 1869. |