The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-13
THE FREEDMEN.
Instructions to Agents OF the Freedmen's
Bureau in the South.

Instructions TO agents OF the rreoom0AAS
Bureau in the South.
WASHINGTON, July IL. 1856.
Major General Howard Commissioner Of the Bureau Of
Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands has to-day
ordered in Circular No H. that the Assistant Commits
soners will careful the establishment of SUBJ dis
rcts to have ONCE Of the agent at point easy
of access the people Of the ubdstricts he Will
have at least agen-either citizen officer or en-
listed man-in each sub-disrict. He will be furnished
with the proper blanks for contracts and will institute
methods adequate meet the wants Of his Districts in
accordance with the rules OF the Bureau No fixed rate
Of wages will be prescribed for district but In order to
regulate the wages in given individual cases the agent
should have mind minimum rates for his own guidance.
BY careful inquiry to the hire Of able bodied man
when the pay went the master, he will have ap
proxmate test Of value of labor He must of course
consider the entire change OF circumstances and DO sure
that the labor has protection against avarice or cx
torion Wages had better be secured by the or
lands Employers desired enter into written agree
ments with employees, setting forth stated wages, or Sc
I All such agreements will be- approved by the
nearest agent and duplicate fled at his Office In case
will forward the duplicate Of contracts direct TO
the Assistant Commissioner for the State
Attention is especially called to section four Of the law
establishing the Bureau with regard to setting apart land
every male citizen whether refugee freedman &c
and the arrangement is recommended when 1t can
be effected private parties This course Is re-
cornton of the general principle in tho law.
In enforce the fulhmen OF contracts on both
contracting parties the Commissioner the Bureau lays
down no general rule The Assistant Commissioner must
the privilege and authority he already has Provost
courts military commissions and local courts when the
freedmen and refugees have equal rights with other peo
pie open TO his In the great majority Of cases
his arbtrament or that of his agent In the settle
mcnt by referees will be sufficient
No assistant commissioner or agent authorized to
tolerate compulsory unpaid labor except for the legal
eaicnt but suffering preferred to slavery and is to
extent the necessary consequence OF events In
all actions the officers should never forget that subs
tute for slavery, like apprenticeship without proper
consent, or pconage-i e. conining them without
consent the land BY any systemwill be tolerated
The Assistant Commissioner will designate moro
of his agents act the general superintendent OK
schools-one for each Stateor refugees and freedmen
This officer will work as much as possible in conjunction
with State officers who may have school matters in
charge II general system can be adopted for State
IL we'll but not he will at least take cognizance Of
all that being done to educate refugees and freedmen,
secure proper protection to schools eand teachers
promote method and efficiency, correspond with the
benevolent agencies which supplying his field, and
aid the Assistant Commissioner in making his required
reports
Bureau will have the general supervision of medical
matters connected with refugees and freedmen. The
Assistant Commissioners will instruct their medical and
other officers to make the medical department selfsup
porting as far possible.
All public addresses Of character calculated create
discomfort reprehcnsibc; but the Assistant Commits
soner and his agents must explain by recapitu
laton the principles laws and regulations of this Bureau
70 all parties concerned II Is recommended to the As
sstant Commissioners to draw up In writing Careful
summary TO be publicly and privately read by agents
throughout their respective districts
Assistant Commissioners directed by Circular NO.
10, Of July H. to report monthly the number OF
supporting refugees and freedmen colonies camps
depos hospitals, and government farms or otne!
lands under the supervision Of the Commissioners anu
also tho number of such persons who may not DC 50
posed Of to whom raons and clothing have Deen
TO what amount and whether furnished py donatlon OF
purchase II s intended that the first OF the aoove TO-
ports will cover the period from the Tune wien We as
sstant Commissioners entered upon theh au.es ~ "
the first Of the month following the receipt Oh 'he aooVe
circular
Reports are also directed be made by the Commits
missioners of all lands under their conIoi ne'e
for the benefit of refugees or freedmen, win
statements whether such lands were aoanaoneo OF
confscated and a brief description OF each tract
together with tho name Of the former owner and
occupant HEREAFTER descriptions will DO furnished OF
lands brought under the supervision Of the
ers during tho month which their reports are made
stating how they were acquired &C. and lands ost 20
the use Of the bureau will be accounted Tor with equal
In adduon TO the above, the number Of schools,
schoar and teachers at present under the direction OF
h uram are TO be carefully reported and rosters Oh all
osors and civilians employed by each assistant COM
issoner AZ sub commissioners staf officers or agents,
h,r respective duties and how much salary allowed
Zach civilian and from what fund II Is paid will De re-
norted upon monthly from the reception of the above
order