Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1868-01-04
An Important Order.


Fo. ISL Julian ST., N. N, Dec. IS, 1867.
Circular No. IS.
The following instructions, rcla-
tive to the duties and powers of
agents of the Bureau in this State,
are promulgated for the information
and guidance of all concerned.
|. All cases Of difficulty or dis
agreement between W h ties 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 freedmen are con cerned, to
effect, if possible, an amicable and
satisfactory settlement between the
parties, without referring tie same
to the civil authorities; but lii thost
cases involving legal questions, and
which from their nature are proper
ly cognizable before civil tribunals,
bureau agents al not empowered
to make final disposition ofthe same,
nor interfere in any way whatever
with the action Of the civil authori-
tics in such cases. 1t is their duty
to advise freedmen, when necessary
in bringing suits before the civil
courts and should the eXigencies
of the cases 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 wages duo freedmen, the bu-
reau agents will, if necessary, make
application to the civil authorities
for the protection of the laborcrs in
their just rights as provided by law.
If necessary to insure payment to
the laborers, according to the terms
of contract with employers, the a
gent will call upon the civil author
tiles 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 ag G t
proceed to make such seizures, un-
less the civil authorities fail or e.
fuse to give that protection to lab
orers which is authorized by exist
ing laws, emitting them to lien on
the crops and movable property Tor
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 portion of the crop
or property to cover the amount
Justly due to the freedmen, report
ing Immediately to these headquar-
tiers the action taken by him, to-
gether with all other information
necessary for full understanding
of the case.
The officers and agents of the
freedmen's bureau will, in all re-
spccts, conform their actions to the
provisions of "civil rights bill, y
which secures to citizens of every
race and color, the right to make
and enforce contracts, to sue, be
parties, and give evidence, to in
herit, purchase, lease, sell, hold and
convey real and personal property,
and the full and equal benefit of all
laws and proceedings for the secu.
rity of persons and property; and
which subjects colored citizens to
like punishment, pains and penal
ties as white citizens and to none
other, any law, statute, ordinance
regulation or custom to the contra
ry 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 provisions of the act, and "a
cause him or them, to be arrested
imprisoned 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.
III. Where outrages are perpetra
ted on freedmen, and the civil au-
thorities fail, or refuse, on proper
application by the bureau agent, tC
take action to secure the arrest anc
trial of the party or parties so Of
Tending. il will then be the duty o.
the agent to call upon the nearest
military commander for sufficient
force to arrest the party or parties
committing the outrage, but this
course will not be taken unless the
civil authorities have failed, or have
refused to perform their duty as Tho
Law directs.
/ Evidence of such failure or refus
4 al will be forwarded to these head
Tquarters together with a full anC
comprehensive report of all the cir
eumstances attending the case.
By order OF Bieutenant-Cclone
W II. Wood, 1st U. S. Infantry, As
sistant Commissioner.
]. NJ. LEE,
LIST Lieut.. 39sh U. s Infantry,
Acting Assistant Adjutant Genl-