American Missionary Association No. 53 John Street New York, Sept. 10, 1867

Miss S. E. Chase, Dear Madam:

I feel a personal interest in Julia and Sarah Rutledge, and wish much that something could be done for them. The responsibility resting upon me for the three boys I have sent to Oberlin is all I dare assume—all, in my circumstances, it is prudent I should assume, but if I might be relieved of all the responsibilities of planning for these girls—helping them through hard places, &c. –– while at Oberlin, I could help a little in securing funds for them, ––or I think I could. Tuition would be given them at the request of this Assoc. by writing to Mrs. Dascom you might learn of ways in which these girls could help themselves by means of their trade or otherwise. I think I could obtain a promise of $125 yearly toward the expenses of one. If the same could be otained for the other, means for getting them on found, and an assurance from Mrs. Dascom of some way for their earning fifty or seventy five cts per week, I think there would be no risk in having them come on at the opening of a new school year in Feb. One thing more. We should know whether they could earn their own way through the long winter vacation of three months. With their trade, if they would be willing to put their hands to anything honorable, I should think this could easily be done.

I shall hope to hear from you of this matter. A letter will find me at my desk in this office most any day.

Did you call to see me while I was out of the city?

Yours Truly,

S.A. Thayer

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American Missionary Association
No. 53 John Street,
New York, Sept 10, 1867

Miss Sarah E. Chase
Worcester, Mass,
Dear madam:

Your favor of Aug 7. did not reach us until yesterday.

You probably misunderstood Mr. Whipple respecting the educating of Freedmen free of expense to them. We can select fifty students for Oberlin who shall receive free tuition.

We are intending to open a Normal School at Hampton Va. on the Labor plan. When we know how much we are going to do there, perhaps some of these you name can be admitted. Keep them in mind and in a few months we will see what can be done for them.

I regret to hear of your Illness.

Yours Truly,
Edwd. P. Smith

S.A.C.

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