Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-30
FrrrpurS's BunraU.-The following important

FREEDMEN's BUREAU.-The following important
documents have been issued by General Fisk, As
sistant Commissioner, Freedmen's Bureau:
bureau refugees, Freedmen and abandoned
Lands. Suites n Kg. and Teaa Asst Comm.
Office NashUiUe, Tenn. Dee. Bth 1850.
FREEDMEN or KENTUCKY: The Constitution Of
the United States has been so amended that here
after one can be held as slave anywhere IN
the country, except IN punishment Tor crime. All
the col0rcd people, therefore, IN the state OF en-
lucky arr free, and your friend, the Assistant
Commissioner Of the Frecdmen's Bureau, desires
to address you few plain words:
!. EiBt Of all, you should be grateful TO your
Heavenly Father. who has broken your bonds and
conferred upon you the inestimable boon of free
dom.
p You should recognize your high obligations
10 the Federal Government which, in its mighty
struggle with the great rebellion and in its
triumph has been true 10 the interests of freedom,
and has fulfilled its pledges TO the oppressed.
3. You should love Kentucky, for 1t is a noble
old State, your native state, your home and the
home Of your children, and now a FREE STATE.
4. ! advise you TO remain in your old homes and
that you enter into good contracts with your
former owners and masters. You have been assO-
ciated with them for many years you are bound
10 the old home by many ties, and most of you
trust will be able 10 get as well with your late
masters as with any one else. If your former
owners will not make good contracts with you
giving You good wages, or share of the crOp-yOu
will have perfect right to go where you can do
better.
5. Let me warn you especially against focking
into the towns and cities. There are too many
people in the towns and cities already. Hundreds
unless they speedily remove to the country will,
] fear fall victims of pestilence. The smallpox
l. now prevalent, and IN a lew weeks the cholera
may be among Us. In the crowded cities you will
wear your lives away in n constant struggle TO pay
higher gent for miserable dwellings and scanty al
lOwanccs Ofi0Od. Many of your children,
greatly fear. will be found wandering through the
streets NJ Notwithstanding into the worst Of
vices and filling the warehouses aud jails. BY all
means seek healthy homes in the country.
&. Now that you are free and will enjoy the
"A.
life with hearty will. You begin IL with little
besides your hands but, by patient industry and
economy you may soon earn and save enough
money 10 purchase a home of your own, and fur
nish IL with many Of the comforts Of life
Z. Let each man turn his heart and his thoughts
toward providing n good home for his wife and
children, and 10 aid in the Of his aged and de-
pendent parents; carefully guard and keep sacred
the marriage relation; be lawfully welded: tax
ing up with each other" is an abOminable practice,
and must perish with the institution that gave it
birth.
5. Early attention should be given 20 the edu-
cation Of YOUR children. Purchase books for them
and employ good teachers. You have numerous
friends in the country who will aid you in the es-
Enlistment Of schools. BE resolved that all your
children shall be taught reading, writing, and
o. Let the past be forgotten. Treat all men with
respect; avoid disputes demonstrate to Kentucky
and TO the world, by your faithful observance of
the laws, by your sobriety and good morals. and
bv your thrift that you are not only qualified for
she precious blessing Of freedom, but for the high
and responsible duties Of the Commonwealth.
Y. Until the enactment and enforcement of
State laws giving you full protection in person
and property impartial justice will be secured TO
you by the strong arm OF the National Govern
mcnt. CLINTON Il. FISK
Breyct Major General, Assistant Commissioners
bureau Rcfugccs, Freedmen and abandoned !
Lands, States Of h., and Tenn, Assf
Comm'rs 0fce Nashville, Tenn. Dee. 26, 1865.
CIRCULAR No. 10.
The ratification of the Constitutional Amend
mcnt forever abolishing and prohibiting slavery
in the United States having been officially an
nOunced 10 the country by prOcla nation of the
Secretary of State, dated December 18th, 1865
this Bureau extends its supervision over persons
recently held as slaves in Kentucky.
On the basis Of impartial justice, this Bureau
will promote industry, and aid in permanently
establishing peace and securing prosperity in the
State.
Agencies Of the Bureau will be established at
points easy Of access. and while superintendent
will be cautioned against supervising too much, |
the fair adjustment of the labor question will re-
ccive their earnest attention. They will that
contracts are equitable and their inviolabilty
forced upon both parties
No fixed rates Of wages will be prescribed by the |
Bureau, nor will any community OF combination |
of people be permitted to fix rates. Labor must |
be free 20 compete with other commodities in an |
open market
Parties can make any trade or agreement that is |
satisfactory TO themselves; and so long as advan-
tage Is not taken OF the ignorance Of the freed peo
pie to deprive them Of a fair and reasonable com
pensati9n for their labor, either in stipulated |
wages or a share of the products there will be no |
Interference.
Until the cnac ttncnt and enforcement of State |
laws guaranteeing TO the freedmen ample prOtec- |
ton IN person and property, freedmen's courts |
will be established for the adjudication Of cases in
which they are involved.
The Assistant Commissioner earnestly invites |
the cordial and hearty cooperation of the civil
authorities and of all good citizens Of Kentucky, |
n tho important work of adjusting the new rela- |
lions arising from the total abolition Of slavery.
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brcvct Maj. Gen, Assistant COm'r.
HEADQUARTERS. DEPARTMENT Tenn, / |
LOUISVILLE Dec. q, 1865 ! |
The foregoing circular Of Brevet Major General |
G. ". Fisk, Assistant Commissioner, meets my |
cordial approval both in its spirit and in its ex
ccllcnt suggestions.
JOIN NJ. PALMER,
Major General Commanding.