9

“In establishing the hospital, Government has provided for all except
the mothers with newly-born infants. The surgeon asked the aid of your
Board in furnishing an apartment for such; without further consulting
you, I promised aid, as the outlay will be comparatively trifling. Hight
bedsteads are all that he asks for; these to be about three-quarters size.
The ticks filled with straw are expected to be drawn with the other
stores. The bedsteads are so much less in price here than at Washing-
ton, that I have promised to send from here.

“One thousand garments have been distributed, sent from this and the
Women’s Association, and yet one scarcely sees the good they have done,
the population on the island is so fluctuating. Every effort is made to
get homes for all able to work.

“ Hard as is the condition of the people on Mason’s Island, the reports
that come from Memphis represent the Freedmen there in so much
greater distress, that these seem comfortable in comparison. A lady
who arrived last week from Memphis, informed me that there is a field
appropriated to them, and as they arrive in the city they are taken out to
this field and there herded together without shelter or any comforts, just as
a drove of cattle would be disposed.of. The mortality among them is
startling. It is to be hoped that an inquiry may be made, and if things
are as bad as represented, some steps may be taken to better the con-
dition of those people.” .

The establishment of a temporary Home in this city haviag
been recommended forthe accommodation of the Freed people
seeking employment, the subject was referred to a committee,
. which, after investigation, proposed that a building be rented ;
but the co-operation of Government in furnishing free transporta-
tion having been declined, and other difficulties arising, after
further consideration it was concluded to defer definite action.

In the Ninth month, the subject was again introduced to the.
notice of the Board by a communication from the “ Pennsylvania.
Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery,” &c., suggesting
joint action with that Society and the three Weeadien’ s Asso-
ciations of this city. A committee of conference was appointed,
which recommended that the matter should be referred to the
care of the Abolition Society, with an appropriation, if required,
of $100 from our funds. ‘This was approved by the Board.

In the Eighth month, Margaret Preston was employed to act
as teacher or nurse, as circumstances might require, at Mason’s
Island; and about the same time, Mary McLain was engaged

as teacher at Camp Wadsworth. .