The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-23
WAR DEPARTMENT,
BCREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, &C.,
WASHINGTON. July IS, 1865.

4 CIRCULAR, No. IL.
INSTRUCTIONS TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS AND
OTHER 0FFIcEEs-Eaeh assistant commissioner will be
careful in the establishment of sub Districts to have
the office of his agent peiRt easy of for
i the people of the sub-di trct.
He will have ct least agent either citizen, milf
tarY officer enlisted man. in each subdstrict This
agent must be thoroughly instructed in his duties He
will be furnished with the proper blanks for contracts
and will institute methods adequate to the wants
of his district in accordance with the rules of this bu
No fixed rates of wages will be prescribed for
district but in order to regulate fair wages in given in
dirdual cases. the agent should have in mind minimum
rates for his own guidance Bv careful inquiry to
the hire Of an abe-bodied man when the paw went to
the master, he will have approximate test of the
value of labor. He must, of course, consider the
change OF circumstances and be that the laborer
has due protection against aFaree and extor;ion.
Wages had better be secured By lien the crops
land. Employers desired to enter into written
agreements with employees setting forth stated wages
or securing an interest in the land CROP both All
such agreements will be approved by the nearest
agent, and duplicate fled in his Office. In case
there should be no agent within reach the nearest
postmaster will forward the duplicate of contracts d
rect to the assistant Commissioners for the State.
Attention is specially called section of the law
establishing the bureau, with regard setting apart
land to every male citizen, whether refugee or freed
man, &c, and the same arrangement is recommended
when it can be effected, between private parties Al
ready many farmers have rentedland freedmen and
refugees. This course is recognition of the general
principle in the law.
In order to enforce the fulflment Of contracts on
both contracting parties the commissioner of the bu-
reau lays down no general rulethe assistant commits
soner must use the privileges and authority he already
has Provost courts, military commissions, local courts,
WREN the freedmen and refugees have equal rights with
other people are open to his USE In the great ma
erty OF cases his arbiramcnt that of his agent
or the settlement by refugees, will be sufficient.
Or IN
tolerate compulsory unpaid Labor except for the legal
punishment of crime. Suffering may result to some
extent but suffering is preferred to slavery and is to
some degree the necessary consequence of events.
In all actions the officer should never forget that
substitute for slavery like apprenticeship without
proper consent or peonage Ii e., either holding the
people by debt, or eoufning them without consent
the land by any systern) will be tolerated. i
The assistant commissioner viii designate one or
more of his agents to act general superintendent
OF schools Zone for each State for refugees and freed
men. This officer will work as much as possible in
conjunction with State officers who may have school
matters in charge. If general system be adopted
for State, it is well; but if not he viii least take
OF all that is being doneto educate refugees
and freedmen secure proper protection to schools and
teachers promote method and efficiency, correspond
with the benevolent agencies which are supplying his
held and aid the assistant commissioner in making his
required reports.
Surgeon c. W. Horner, chief medical officer of the
bureau VIII nave Inc general supervision or medcaI
matters connected with refugees and freedmen.
The assistant commissioners will instruct their med
cal officers, they have instructed other officers to
make the medical department sehsupporting far
possible.
All public addresses of character calculated to ere
ate discomfort reprehensibe but the assistant
missioner and his agents must explain by constant re-
captulaton, the principles laws, and regulations Of
this bureau, to all parties concerned It'll recommend
ed to the assistant commissioners to draw up in writing
careful summary, be publicly and privately read by
agents throughout their respective districts.
0. @. HOWARD,
Mainr-( Iannral Commissioners