The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-27


The Assistant Commissioner is compelled to
call the attention of the people of this District
to the great increase within tho past few days
in the number of applicants for government
assistance, and to thus publicly announce that
it will be impossible for him, with the limited
supplies at his command to assist more than
fraction of those who are now applying.
Nearly one-half of the amount at his disposal
has been already expended and but a limited
proportion of the applications received have
been acted upon.
In future, all applications for assistance will
be referred to the :" or or agent of the bu-
reau residing nearest to the applicant, with in
structions to Investigate fully his OF her con-
dition, and, upon the report made, the Assis-
tant Commissioner will act
Applications should therefore, to save time
be mads direct to the nearest bureau officer,
who will forward them to these headquarters,
with such expression of approval or disap-
proval as he may see fS to make.
The applicant should state in each case the
name and situation of his plantation, and the
nearest railroad station or steamboat landing;
tho fact that the plantation is fully organized
the number of adults and children (those over
fourteen years of age being considered adults)
for whom provisions are desired, and the num-
Der of acres to be cultivated, in cotton, corn,
other products. In no case will food fer ami
mails be furnished.
TO the freedpeople throughout the district
+, oicoio fO mt
the determination now 80 prevalent in many
localities not to contract, except upon terms
which, while they assure nothing to the labor
er, are so disadvantageous to the planter as to
preclude the possibility Of any agreement
being made, is most unfortunate, and can be
productive of nothing but disastrous results.
If such people are under the impression that
they will be fed by this Bureau the Assistant
Commissioner desires to undeceive them with
out delay. No loan of provisions, will, under
any circumstances, be made to those who are
planting under contracts Of such nature that
it is evident they will not only not make sufi-
cient supplies to live upon another year, bat
will, with difficulty, be able to raise sufficient
to repay advances made them this year.
Many people entertain the idea thas all that
is necessary to enable them to OBTAIN rations is
to have possession of piece of land. Such is
not the case The Assistant Commissioner
must be satisfied that the land is of such a
quality, and that the applicant is planting it
under such conditions that he will be able to
produce from it sufficient not only to repay his
advances, but to supply himself and family
another year. Furthermore, no issues of ra-
tions for planting purposes will be made to in
dividuals, but only upon organized plantations
with responsible head, either white or color
ed whose experience and character is such
that the Assistant Commissioner can have no
doubt but that his obligation to the govern
ment will be fulfilled to the letter.
By order of Bvt.-Maj. Gen. R. K. SCOTT, As
sistant Commissioner.
H. NE-DE, Bvt. Maj. and 1st 1t. 44th Inf, A.
A. A. G.
Approved: E. R. s. CANDY, Bvt. Maj.-een.
Comd'g, Supervisory Asst. Commissioner.
Official q. NElDE, A. A. A. G.