The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-03
IMPORTANT CIRCULAR.

nas iocateu uls headquarters at 1IalelSn, ~. v.
The following circular defines his duties. AS
it is issued from the bureau of the War Depart
ment over which Maj Gen. Howard presides
and IS approved by the President, it is the final
decision of the Government on the subjects
which it touches, and etfectually repeals all or
ders from any other source that may conflict
with it /:
Rules and Regulations for Assistant Commits
sioners.
WAR DEPARTMENT, y
Bureau Of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandon
ed Lands, Washingtoh, May 80, 1865.
Circular No. s. ..
I. Ihe headquarters of the Assistant Com
missioners will, for the present, be established
as follows, viz:
For Virginia, at Richmond, Va.
North Carolina, at Raleigh N G.
South Carolina & Georgia, at Beaufort, S G.
Alabama, at Montgomery, Ala.
Kentucky & Tennessee, at Nashville, Tenn
Missouri aud Arkansas, at St Louis Mo-
Mississippi at Vicksburg, Miss.
Louisiana, at New Orleans, La.
Florida, at jacksonville, Fla.
IL. Assistant Commissioners, not already at
their posts will make all haste to establish their
headquarters, acquaint themselves with their
fields, and do ALL i'm their power to quicken and
direct the industry of Refugees and Freedmen,
that they and their communities may do all that
can be done for the season, already so far ad-
vanced, to prevent starvation and suffering, and
promote good order aud prosperity. Their at
teution is invited to Circular No. 2, from this
Bureau, indicative of the objects to be attained
Ill. Relief establishments will be discontin-
ued as speedily as the Cessation Of hostilities
and the return of ofindustria pursuits will permit
Great discrimination will be observed in admin
istering relief, SO to include that are not
absolutely necessitous and destitute.
". Every effort will be made to render the
people self-supporting. Government supplies
will only be temporarily issued to enable desti
tute persons speedily to support themselves, and
exact accounts must be kept with each individ-
ual or community, and held as lien upon their
crops. The ratiens for the destitute will be that
already provided in General Orders, No. 80,
War Department, series 1864 The Commits
siouers are especially to remember that their
duties are to enforce, with reference to these
classes, the laws of the United States
V. Loyal Refugees, who have been driven
from their homes, WILL ON their return, be pro-
tected from abuse, and the caamit.es of their
tute, they will be aided with transportation, and
food when deemed expedient, while in transitu,
returning to their former homes.
VI. Simple good faith, for which we hope on
all hands from those concerned in the passing
away Of Slavery, will especially relieve the
Assistant Commissioners in the discharge Of the
duties toward the Freedmen, as we'll as pro,note
the general welfare. The Assistant Commis-
sioners will, everywhere, declare and protect
their freedom, as set forth in the Proclamations
of the President and the laws of Congress.
VII. In all places where there is an interup-
tion of civil law, or in which local Courts, BY
reason of old codes, in violation of the freedom
guaranteed by the Proclamation of the Presi-
dent aud the laws 81 Congress, disregard the ne-
gro's right to justice before the laws, in not al
lowing him to give testimony, the control of all
subjects relating to Refugees and Freedmen be-
ing committed to this Bureau, the Assistant
Commissioners will adjudicate, either them
selves or through officers of their appointment,
all difficulties arising between negroes themselves,
or between negroes and whites or Indians, ex-
cept those in military service, so far as reeogn-
Fable by military authority, and not taken cog
nizanee of by the other tribunals, civil or mill
tary, of the United States
VIII. Negroes must be free to choose their
own employers, and be paid for their labors
Agreements should be free, bona t1de acts, ap-
proved by proper officers, and their inviolsbili'y
enforced on both parties. The old system OF
overseers, tending to compulsory unpaid! labor
aud acts ofcruelty and oppression, is prohibited.
The unity of families, and all the rights OF the
family relation. will be carefully guarded in
nlaces where the local statutes make no provis-
ions for the marriage of persons Of color, the
Assistant Commissioners are authorized to des-