FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL FREEDMAN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION. NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 19TH, 1863 by National Freedman's Relief Association - 1863

[New York, 1863. Folio leaf, folded to 8-1/2" x 11". 3, [1] pp. Old horizontal fold, mild wear, Good+ or so. The Association was organized by William Cullen Bryant and others; they sign the document in type. It was established "in response to an appeal from Gen. Sherman and Commodore Dupont" to alleviate "the helpless condition of the blacks within the vast area occupied by the forces under their command." Its mission was to "instruct the Freedmen in industrial and mechanical arts, in the rudiments of education, the principles of Christianity... and all that might be necessary to render them competent to sustain themselves as members of a civilized society." Rules of the Association emphasize that "they must be treated as Freemen," and must "earn their livelihood...No idlers will be allowed among them." The Report chronicles the Association's activities: teachers have been sent forth, including "refined Christian ladies"; crops have been planted and gathered; clothing and other goods have been supplied. Officers are listed. The last page prints "A Happy New Year's greeting to the Colored People in the Department of the South," from the Military Governor, Brigadier General Saxton. Sabin 25746n. Not in LCP, Bartlett. OCLC 191232630 [2- AAS, NYHS], 41906195 [3- Cornell, MA Hist., U TX] as of August 2020.