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The results of his observations, in relation to the condition of the
people, their capacities and wishes, the culture of their crops, and the
best mode of administration, on the whole favorable, were embodied in a
report. The plan proposed by him recommended the appointment of
superintendents to act as guides of the negroes and as local
magistrates, with an adequate corps of teachers. It was accepted by the
Secretary with a full indorsement, and its execution intrusted to the
same agent. The agent presented the subject to several members of
Congress, with whom he had a personal acquaintance, but, though they
listened respectfully, they seemed either to dread the magnitude of the
social question, or to feel that it was not one with which they as
legislators were called upon immediately to deal. The Secretary himself,
and Mr. Olmsted, then connected with the Sanitary Commission, alone
seemed to grasp it, and to see the necessity of immediate action. It is
doubtful if any member of the Cabinet, except Mr.


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