Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-18
YRKKDMKN's BUREAU IN THIS DlsrRIc,

Brgadier General John Eaton, Assistant
Commissioner OF Refugees, Freedmen, &c, for
this District, after recounting the difficulties
which the Bureau had to contend with, reports
operations follows:
Titles to property have been examined and
determined where freedmen have wished to
purchase. Cases ofdestitution becoming known
by any means are at once investigated, and
proper measures taken for their relef,-and a
general supervision Of the interests of the
freedmen, business and social, is being exer-
cIsed with a satisfactory degree of success
The number reported as having found employ
ment through the Intelligence Office, IN this
city, from July 20 to October 81, is 773; this
includes only those who have contracts regis
tered probably as many more have been
helped to situations; 10 applications for labor
have been filled, many of which were for fam
lies. Several hundred dollars have been paid
by employers for labor thus obtained. Several
calls for labor have been received from rail-
road and mining companies at the North, by
which the introduction of a large element OF
colored labor is desired. For various reasons,
these calls have not yet been answered.
An Intelligence Office has oeen lately opened
NJ Alexandra, where there is a large amount
of surplus labor.
There are now three hospitals for freedmen
In this DistTict-one in Washington, one in
Alexandria, and one at Freedmen's Village;
having IN all 4 capacity of $40 beds.
1t is estimated that 6UOU, or about one-fourth
are now receiving instructions In the schools.
OF the improvement of the pupils, the super
intendent remarks My visits always en-
courage me 10 Iersevere in this good work.
The progress of the scholars is remarkable
under the circumstances. They are learning
very rapidly, and often surprise me by their
ready and correct answers 10 difficult ques-
tons"
1 have endeavored to have a complete cen
sus OF these Counties and OF the District of
Columbia; but owing 10 the difficulty of secu-
ring soldiers for this duty, have been only par
TALLY successful
Returns have been received from Fairfax
county, which show a total colored popuIa-
ton of 2,S4I-I,552 males and 1859 females
January ], 1863. ? l67 of these were slaves; "a
free; Is are able to read; LII are children
under fourteen years of age
The estimated colored population of the en-
tire District is S},UtO
Aiming steadily at the securing of Justice
simple justice, for the negro in spite of the re-
naming disabilities and prejudice of slavery,
thoroughly convinced that this fairly done, the
long disturbing negro question was settled,
nave more than anything else watched and
tried TO reach all incidents and Influences
which should prompt this among whites and
blacks, and especially in the administration of
Justice. Some OF the police of this city and
Georgetown at first were not disposed TO be
questioned in regard to their mistreatment of
blacks but that had passed away under the
prompt and faithful attention OF Mr.. A. e.
Richards, Superintendent OF the Metropolitan
Police.
Lieutenant 5. N Clark, nv efficient Acting
Assistant General, made repeated examina-
tons in Maryland. in answer to complaints,
taking affidayits. and gathering trustworthy
testimony. These reveal antagonism be-
tween capital and labor hardly to be expected
in a State where emancipation came by the
voice of the people, and where the greatest
present complaint is scarcity of labor. A lin
gerIng feeling OF disloyalty to the Government
led many otherwise respectable people to
countenance the misdeeds of those prompted to
personal abuse of the negro, by their ignorant
prejudices and their powerlessness to secure
legal redress. Cases Of personal assault were
numerous; the punishment of any assailant, if
white, by the law, was unknown.
Needing all the privileges OF Maryland, as a
State which has respected its constitutional
obligations, my endeavor has been to act not So
much by direct authority, as TO secure the best
possible administration OF bad laws, and ex-
ercise an influence in favor of their speedy
amendment. to aid, as far i might, in en-
forcing order, exacting good faith between en-
ployer and employee-preyenting injustice
and fraud, and promoting The best interests OF
all classes. 1t is gratifying TO ind the num-
Der Of complaints steadily decreasing.