Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-01-30
THE FRFFDTEN,S RUREAU

The following is a synopsis of q bill
now pending in Congress TO enlarge the
powers of the Freedmen's Bureau a
amended by the Judiciary Committee OF
the House
1t provides that the act established for
the Bureau for the TeliefOf freedmen and
refugees, approved March third, eighteen
hundred and siXty-fve, shall continue in
force until otherwise provided by law,
and shall be extended TO refugees and
freedmen from all parts of the United
States, and the President may divide the
sections of country containing such
refugees and freedmen into districts, each
containing one or more states, not 10 eX-
coed twelve in number, and by advice
and consent Of the Senate, appoint
an Assistant Commissioner of such
district, who shall give a like bond and
receive the same duties prescribed by
this act; or said Bureau, in the discretion OF
the President, shall be placed under a
Commissioner and Assistant Commits
sioner 10 be detailed from the army, in
which event each officer 50 assigned to
duty shall serve without increase of pay
or allowance. Section second provides
for the division of the districts into sub
districts and the appointment of clerks,
and authorizes the President of the Uni
ted States TO extend military supervision
and protection over all employees, agents
and other O%f1icers.
Section three authorizes the Secretary
Of War TO issue provisions, fuel, clothing,
etc, for refugees and freedmen.
Section fourth authorizes the President
to reserve from sale, and from settle
ment under the homestead or pre-
on, nFiDn Ia Trg ann 4, GOT annrf F,. F-oaI
men and loyal refugees ~unOccupied lands
in Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas, not
exceeding in all three hundred thousand
acres of good lands, and the commission
ers under the direction of fhe President,
shall cause the same from time 10 time
TO be allotted il parcels not exceeding
forty acres each, TO loyal refugees and
freedmen, who shall be protected in
the uses and enjoyment thereof for such
term Of time, and at such annual rent
as may he agreed upon between the
Commissioners and such refugees or freed
men, which shall be based on the yalua-
ton Of the land to be a~sCertained in such
manner as the Commissioner may, under
direction of the President, by regulation,
prescribe at the end of such term, or
sooner, if the Commissioner shall assent
thereto. The occupants of any parcels
50 assigned may purchase the land and
receive the title thereto from the United
States in fee, upon paying therefor the
value OF land, ascertained as aforesaid.
5. That TIE EOssFssiIorE titlss granted
in pursuance of Maj.-G6n. sherman's
field Order dated Savannah, January
sixteen, eighteen hundred ana sixty-4aT1,
hereby confirmed and made valid.
o. That the Commissioning shall, under
the direction Of the President, procure in
the name of the United States, by grant
or purchase, such land within the district
afOTEzlid as may bee required for refugees
and freedmen dependent on the Govern
ment for support, and he shall provide or |
TO be built aSylums and schools, but |
no such purchase shall be made nor con-
tract TOT the same entered into nor other
expenses incurred until after a%pprop-ia-
ions shall have been provided byCongreSs
Or the general purpose of this act, out of
which 10 payments for said lands shall be
made, and the Commissioners shall cause
,uch lands from time TO time, 10 be
allotted, assigned and sold in
manner and form, provided in the pre-
section, provided always, that
aid lands shall not be sold for less than
he cost thereof 10 the United States.
Section seventh authorizes the Presi-
lent to extend military protection 10 the
reedmen in all cases of laws making dis
rimination against them on account of
Section eighth prescribes the punish
nent for subiecting the freedmen to sla-
cry.