The national Republican., 1867-12-30
Natiuual gepablitaa.
lorFICIAL.l
Important CircnInr.

MEN, AND ABANDONED LASrs, .
DfsrRIcr OF LorlslAEAlo
c,. lSl JENA IA a. a. NEW ORLEANS La pee' ''iS''
The following instructions, relative to the
duties and powers Of agents Of the bureau in
this State, arc promulgated for the Information
and guild ance Of all concerned:
1. All eases Of difficulty or disagreement be-
tween whites and freedmen, or between the
freedmen themselves, will be referred, in the
hrst instance, to tho civil courts for adjudica-
tion.
It 10 the duty Of tho bureau agents, In all
minor cases Of complaints where freedmen are
concerned, to effect II possible, an smicable
and satisfactory tettlsment between the parties
without referring the same to the civil authori-
tics; but in those cases involving legal ques-
tions, and which, from their nature, are prop.
erly cogniEahle before civil tribunals, bureau
agents are not empowered to mako final dispo-
sition Of the same, nor interfere in any way
whatever with the action Of the civil authorities
in such cases. 1t is their duty to advise freed.
men, whom necessary, in bringing suits before
the civil courts; and should the eMgencies OF
the case demand 1t, they will appear as the
freedmen's friend, or attorney.
In all cases where planters or other employers
refuse or neglect to pay wages due freedmen,
tho bureau agents will If necessary, make proper
application to the civil auth for the pro.
lection Of the laborers in their just rights as
provided by law.
II necessary to insure payment to tho aborers
according to the terms Of contract with employ
ers the agent will call upon the civil authori-
ties to make such seizures Of cropsand property
as may be requisite to secure the freedmen their
Just dues.
10 no casewll the bureau agent proceed to
make such seizures, unless the civil authorities
fai or refuse to give that protection to laborers,
which is authorized by existing laws, emitting
them to q lien on the crops snd moveable prop
erty for labor performed.
The evidence that the civil courts have failed
or refused to take action must be cloar and pos.
tive. Tho bureau agent will then seize and hold
asuficent portion Of the crop or property to
cover the amount justly due the freedmen, re-
porting Immediately to these headquarters the
action taken by him, together with all other
information necessary for full understanding
Of the case.
The officers and agents of the Frsedmen's
Bureau will in all respects conform their action
to the provision 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 subje c0lored per
sons to like punishment, pains, and penalties as
white citizens, and to none other, any law,
statute, ordinance, regulation or custom to tho
contrary notwithstanding and which further
makes it their special duty, at the expense Of the
United States, to institute proceedings against
all and every person who shall violate the provi.
sions Of the act, and to cause him or them to be
arrested and imprisoned or bailed, as the case
may be, for trial before such court Of tho United
States, as, by the act, has cognizancs Of the
sRme
II. Where outrages are .perpetrated on freed.
men, and the civil authorities fail or refuse, on
proper application by the bureau agent, to take
action to secure 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 military
commander for a sufficient force to arrest the
party or parties committing the outrage but
this course will not be taken unless the civil au-
thorities have failed or have refused TO perform
their duties rs the law directs.
Evidence of such failure or refusal will be for
warded to these headquarters. together with a
full and comprehensive report Of all the circum'
stances attending the case.
By order Of Lieutenant Colonel W. ii. Wood,
lst United States infantry, assistant commits
siober. j. M. LEE,
1st Lieut. S9th U, S. infantry, A. A. A. @.
Official: ]. NJ LEE,
LIST Lieut.. seth U. S infantry, A. A. A. O.