ly, now on the files of the
Senate. I wish I could help your effort with the Secretary of
War. You must persevere. If Gen. Rawlins understands the case, he
will do all that you desire. Accept my best wishes, and believe
me, faithfully yours,

CHARLES SUMNER.

Will Mrs. Griffing let Mr. Sumner know what institution or person
should disburse the money appropriated?

SENATE CHAMBER,
Tuesday.

LETTERS ON THE FREEDMAN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

WASHINGTON, _April 8, '71_.

_To the Mayor and Board of Common Council, City of Washington,
District of Columbia_:

MESSRS.:--I have the honor to state that the aged, sick,
crippled, and blind persons, for whom the National Freedman's
Relief Association of this District partially provides, are at
this time in very great destitution, many of them in extreme
suffering for want of food and fuel. The Association has provided
clothing. It is now twelve weeks since the Government
appropriation for their temporary support for the last year was
exhausted. This Association has by soliciting contributions, up
to this time, relieved the most extreme cases, that otherwise
must have died; but the want of food is so great among at least a
thousand of these, not one of whom is able _to labor_ for a
support, that it is impossible to provide the absolute relief
they must have, by further contributions from the charitable and
the humane.

I would therefore most earnestly appeal in their behalf, that the
Hon. Council and Mayor will appropriate from the market fund for
their temporary relief one thousand dollars, to be disbursed by
the above-named association, which sum will enable these
destitute persons to subsist until, as is hoped and believed,
Congress will make the usual special appropriation for their
partial temporary support. This Association to report the use of
such money to the Mayor and Common Council of the City of
Washington, D. C.

Very respectfully, J. S. GRIFFING,
_General Agent N. F. R. Association, D. C._

TRIBUNE OFFICE, NEW YORK, _Sept. 7, 1870_.

MRS. GRIFFING:--In my judgment you and others who wish to
befriend the