594 LOUIS AGASSIZ. 



I should be very glad, my dear sir, if you 

 could give me your views upon this and cog- 

 nate matters. If, however, your occupations 

 will not permit you to give time to this mat- 

 ter, perhaps you will assist me by pointing to 

 works calculated to throw light upon the sub- 

 ject of my inquiry, or by putting me in corre- 

 spondence with persons who have the ability 

 and the leisure to write about it. 



I remain, dear sir, faithfully, 



Samuel G. Howe. 



TO DR. S. G. HOWE. 



Nahant, August 9, 1863. 



My deae Doctor, — When I acknowl- 

 edged a few days ago the receipt of your in- 

 vitation to put in writing my views upon the 

 management of the negro race as part of the 

 free population of the United States, I stated 

 to you that there was a preliminary question 

 of the utmost importance to be examined first, 

 since whatever convictions may be formed 

 upon that point must necessarily influence 

 everything else relating to the subject. The 

 question is simply this : Is there to be a per- 

 manent black population upon the continent 

 after slavery is everywhere abolished and no 

 inducement remains to foster its increase ? 



