Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1867-12-31
Important order.

Important order.
| Under date of December 9th, Lieut..
Col. Wood, Commissioner of the Freed
mems Bureau for the State of Louisiana,
issued the following Circular:
1. All cases of difficulty or disagree
ment between whites and freedmen, or
| between 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 ere 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 proper
iy cognizable before civil tribunals, bu-
reau agents are not empowered to make
final disposition of the same, nor inter
fere in any way whatever with the ac-
ton of the civil authorities in such
cases. 1t is their duty to advise freed
men, when necessary, in bringing suits
before the civil courts; and should the
exigencies of the case demand it, they
will appear as the freedmen's friend, or
attorney.
In all cases where planters or other
employers, refuse or neglect to pay
|
will If necessary, make proper appIica-
ton to the civil authorities for the pro-
lection of the laborers in their just
rights as provided by law.
! IF necessary to insure payment to tue
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 will the bureau agent pro-
coed to make such seizures, unless the
civil authorities fail or refuse to give
that protection to laborers which is au-
thorized by existing laws, entitling them
to lien on the crops and movable pro-
perty for labor performed.
The evidence that the civil courts
have failed OF refused to take action
must be clear and positive. The bureau
agent will then seize and hold suffi-
Gent portion of the crop or property to
cover the amount justly due the freed
men, reporting immediately to these
headquarters the action taken by him,
| together with all other information ne
cessary for u full understanding of the
case.
The 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
proceedings 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 proceed
ings against all and every person who
shall violate the provisions of the act;
and to cause him, or them, to be arrested
or bailed, as the case may be, for trial
before such court of the United States,
as by the act, has cognizance of the
same.
on freedmen, and the civil authorities
fail, or refuse, on proper application by
the bureau agent, to take action to Sc
cure the arrest and trial of the party,
or parties so offending, it will then be
the duty of the agent to call upon the
nearest commander for sufficient force
to arrest the party, or parties commit.
ting the outrage; but this course will
not be taken unless the civil authorities
have failed, or have refused to perform
their duty as the law directs.
Evidence of such failure, or refusal
will be forwarded to these headquarters,
together with full and comprehensive
report of all the circumstances attending
the case.
a GA on WOMAN SITE GE-Thp