1865-06-14_Letter-A_Alvord-to-MyDearWife

National "Freedman's Savings and Trust Company," AMERICAN EXCHANGE BANK BUILDING No. 87 CEDAR STREET, New York, June 14^th 1865.

My Dear Wife I came here two days ago, & found things in Chaos.

It becomes necessary for me to stay a few days longer then to intended. Did you recieve mine from the steamer? Hope you are getting on well, & very quiet & happy—I had hoped to have come back in time to be with Julia in her transit but now This cannot be.

There has been much trouble here between the Secesh? & Col.^d people. The former want

not Slavery—(This they give up in dispair) but compulsory labor. The latter want freedom & justice simply. Hitherto the wrong has prevailed, & you hear doubtless of outrages which are all too true.But now The Bureau for Freedmen ^now comes into power, & things are being righted perfectly. Now can imagine how mad it makes white folks. The commission Col. Brown. on this account wishes me to stay & help with what influence I have. This is best for me to do, as both my [Barts?] affairs, & Tract Soc operations will hereafter be quite dependent on him. You see how I am

drifted, rather driven along by Providences. It is not strange?

Dont fear, our States will be fixed in due time. This nation is now, as it were, being "born in a day" & we shall be glad [alternately?] that we heard something to do with its early nursing.

I am very safe in the midst of writing & friends— I did board in a rebel family— (a kind of Extemporizer Hotel) This was a little too hot for me, & now I am with Col. [Brown?], & sharing of his office for the [Helping?], & means with the Union Commission.

Have established a Bank here with an Ag.t under farmable

auspices, and also a Depot of our publications with what will be Equivalent to a Dist. Secretary. I sent some reports & a packup of papers to care of James. Please let Kate have them for her use & the reports. I call about among the principal of the people that [many?] may be induced to help us. We want Carge means here now that we may begin strong— The schools are commencing prosperously, least They are to be largely [unclear]-helped.

Have you written Mr. Blasland? Write me to Norfolk of them be any thing pressing—all wise to Wash. Yours as ever. [aff'n?] J. W. A.