The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1867-12-28
Important Military Order.
DUTIES OF THE BUREAHAGENTs DEFINED
Headquarters Bureau Of Refugees, ,


HEADQUARTERS Bureau of Refugees,
Freedmen and a bandoned Lands.
New Orleans, La, Dec. 8, 1867.
[Circular No. 18.
The following instructions, relative to
the duties and powers OF agents OF tne
bureau in this State, are promulgated
for the information and guidance OF all
concerned:
,,ent between whites and freedmen, or
hetween the freedmen themselves, will
be referred, in the first instance, to the
civil courts for adjudication.
1t is the duty of the bureau agents, in
all minor cases of complaint where freed
men are concerned, to effect, if possible,
an amicable and satisfactory settlement
between the parties, without referring
the same to the civil authorities; but in
those cases involving legal questions,
and which from their nature are properly
cognizable before civil tribunals, bureau
agents are not empowered to make final
<iisposition of the same, nor interfere in
anv way whatever with the action of the
civil authorities in such cases. 1t is their
duty to advise freedmen, when necessary,
i'm bringisg suits before the civil courts;
and should the exigencies of the case
demand it, they will appear as the freed
mems friend, or attorney.
In all cases where planters, or other
employers, refuse or neglect to pay wages
due freedmen, the bureau agents will, if
necessary, make proper application to
the civil authorities for the protection of
the laborers in their just rights, as pro-
vided by law.
If necessary, to ensure payment to the
laborers according to the terms of con-
tract with employers, the agent will call
upon the civil authorities to make such
seizures of crops and property as may be
requisite to secure the freedmen their
just dues.
In no case viii the bureau rent pro-
ceed to make such seizures Gless the
civil authorities fail or refuse to give
that protection to laborers which is au
thorized by existing laws, emitting them
to lien on the crops and movable pro-
perty for labor performed.
The evidence that the civil courts have
failed or refused to take action must be
clear and positive. The bureau agent
will then seize and hold sufficient pOr-
ton of the crop, or property, to cover the
amount Justly due the freedmen, report
ing Immediately to these headquarters
the action taken by him, together with
all other information necessary for full
understanding of the case. y
These officers and agents of the Freed
mems Bureau will, in all respects con-
form their actions to the provisions OF
the civil rights bill, which secures to
citizens of every race and color the right
to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be
parties and give evidence, to inherit,
purchase, lease, sell, hold and convey
real and personal property, and the full
and equal benefit of all laws and pro-
cecdings for the security of person and
property; and which subjects colored
citizens to like punishment, pains and
penalties as white citizens, and to none
other, any law, statute, ordinance, regu.
lation or custom to the contrary not.
withstanding, and which further makes
it their special duty, at the expense of the
United States, to institute proceeding
against all and every person who shall
violate the provisions of the act, and t.
cause him or them to be arrested AMI
imprisoned or bailed, as the case may be
for trial before such court of the Unitet
States as, by the act, has cognizance o
the same.
II. When outrages are perpetrated o.
freedmen, and the civil authorities fail
or refuse, on proper application by tn
bureau agent, TO take action to secur
the arrest and trial of the party, or par
ties SO offending, ii win then be the dnt,
of the agent to call upon the nearest mill
tary commander for q sufficient force t
arrest the party or parties committin
the outrage, but this course viii not b
taken unless the civil authorities hav
failed, or have refused, to perform thei
duties as the law directs.
Evidence of snch failure, or refusa
will be forwarded TO these headquarter
together with full and comprehensive
report of all the circumstances attendin
the case.
By order of Lieut. Col. W.. III. Woo
LIST u. s. Infantry, Asst. COMMISSIONS
JIM. LEE, LIST Lieut., 36th q. 8. In1
Al. "A. G.