Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Executive Department
Council Chamber
Boston, January 13, 1864

Dear Miss Chase,

I thank you for your letter to the Commonwealth--for it of itself & as the promise of future similar favors.

I regretted that I did not meet you when at Norfolk a few weeks ago. I intend, if possible, to visit N. again soon & remain longer when I promise myself the pleasure of becoming personally acquainted with you. I feel that it is time that the school-system of Norfolk should be organized, & if I ever get time & brains to draw up a plan to take to Gen. Butler, I intend to do so--unless someone else first does it better.

We have put your name in the books of the Commonwealth & you will receive the paper regularly. If not, please notify.

Yrs very truly,

F. W. Bird

Please remember that every day incidents as familiar to you as house-hold words are new and interesting to our readers. Therefore, do not wait to "tell some great thing."

 

[Note in Lucy's hand on back of letter:] "Special--take note of--"

[Note: The (Boston) Commonwealth was an abolitionist newspaper.]