Page:Annual report of the superintendent of Negro Affairs in North Carolina, 1864.djvu/42

40 those unable to attend a day school. In the largest of these evening schools, 15 teachers are employed, instructing 170 pupils. Beyond a doubt the school will soon increase to 200, when we shall be compelled to limit the attendance. The whole number attending evening schools cannot be less than 400 to 500. We have plans matured for immediate execution, and when completed, shall have in New Berne proper, one advanced school, and eight primaries; at Trent River Camp five large schools; at Beaufort three; at Morehead one; at Clumford Creek one; at Newport and vicinity three; and at Roanoke, six; Total 28. Already we have commodious quarters for all the teachers we shall need at New Berne, embracing three houses; we can easily enlarge the quarters at Roanoke to meet increasing wants; and at the other places there will be no difficulty in obtaining them at small expense. Notwithstanding that our efforts have been greatly interfered with and retarded by the yellow fever and its malarial accompaniments, we have now a fair prospect of at least doubling our work this season, and laying a broad foundation for the future. The schools are regularly visited by the Superintendent of Education, Rev. William. T. Briggs, and monthly reports are made, giving the statistics and general condition of the schools, with accompanying remarks. These are sent each month to the societies supporting the teachers. It is a noticable and gratifying fact that there is as much eagerness to attend school, and as much interest in study at the opening of this year as when the work commenced, and everything was new.

The services of Mr. Briggs in this department of endeavor have been all that could be desired. His mature mind, large experience in educational matters, courteous bearing, and thorough goodness of heart, with untiring diligence in his work, have won golden opinions from those who have come in contact with him. His reorganization of the schools during the last month, when I was too ill to aid him with one word of counsel, deserves especial mention. The services of such an officer give unity and point to all our operations in this department. We wholly ignore sects and sections, and labor for the country's welfare by striking at that ignorance which is the old root of this rebellion, and we welcome as honored coadjutors in the work, all whose hearts and hands are consecrated to it.