Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-09-30

The above is the generally accepted
title OF one of the most benifcent organi-
cations of the different departments of
the United States Government. It's OBJ
Jects are charitable, and the generosity
of our government towards those afflicted
by the late var is fully exemplifed by
its operations. It raj established by an
act of Congress approved March Sd, 1866,
under the title of "a Bureau of Refu-
gees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands"
Major General O. o. Howard was subse-
quently appointed to its head, and his
first circular is dated May Is. 1t an
nounces his entrance upon his duties and
the location of his Bureau. Circular No.
2, May 19, announces the scheme of sub
ordination and official duty, in connection
with the charitable, industrial and edu-
cational aims of the Bureau. Circular
8, May %, orders the retention of aban-
doned lands then under cultivation by
freedmen, a. least until he growing crops
are secured to them, and their labor fully
and justly remunerated. Circular No.
4, May 20; is a special call for a meeting.
of officers and teachers of freedmen in the
Department Of Washington. Circular
No. S, May 80, contains rules and regu-
lations for assistant commissioners,
among which are a provision for adjust
ing difficulties which weuld not be set
tied equitably for the colored men in the
courts, and a guaranty of the freedom of
the blacks in choosing their own employ
ers and making voluntary agreements
Order No. Ito of the War Department,
June 6, directs all officers of the Treas
ury and all military officers to turn over
the abandoned lands in their possession
to the Freedmen Bureau. Circular No.
Z, juno Is, directs the assistant commits
sioners to make estimates of the supplies
needed for the coming quarter, and al
lows teachers to purchase rations on the
same terms as commissioned officers, in
stead of receiving them gratis as hither-
to-. Transportation and quarters are also
provided for. Circular No. 8, June 20,
/ fixes the ration for refugees and freed
men. Circular No. 9, July G., prohibits
the transportation of refugees except
where humanity evidently demands it,
and then only by the requisition of the
/ Commissioner. Circular No. 10, July
II, provides for monthly reports of refu-
gees and freedmen, for land and school
reports, and rosters of all officers and
civilians on duty. Circular No. IL, July
II, conveys instructions to assistant com
missioners and other officers. Circular
No. IL, July IA, directs the agents OF
the Bureau to cooperate with the Army
and Navy Claim Agency of the Sanitary
Commission, which desires to extend its
gratuitous services % colored soldiers and
their families. Circular No. Is, being
prematurely issued, was rescinded. II
is superseded by No. 10. Circular No,
IA, aug. IT, contains Instructions tc
medical and other officers. Circular No
Is, Sept. ~, defines what is meant by
abandoned landsan what by c~oniscated,
When n assistant commissioner is sat
istied that the United States has acquired
no title to land by abandonment, confs'
cation, sale, or otherwise, he will formally
surrender it to the authorized claimant OF
;. claimants. Accurate lists are therefor'
to be kept, and monthly reports made o
lands under the control of the commits
s~ioners. AS much of them is to be Sc
apart as is needed for the immediate u.s.
of loyal refugees and freedmen, selecting
those which most clearly belong to tn
keeping of the Bureau. The steps 70
r recovering abandoned lands to be take
by those who are pardoned by the Presi
dent are prescribed. Evidence of specia
pardon, or the prescribed oath of amnes
Q ty, as the case may be, must be forward
ed with proof Of title to the a~ssistar
!. commissioners. The same restriction i
d regard to the surrender Of lands unde
e cultivation is imposed as in circular No. +;
SLAVERY IN OuBA-On various account
negro slavery in Cuba has now a very u
II certain tenure. AS long as the "instit'
ton" existed in this country, and was u