Index of correspondences book 1

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Alabama Genl Swayne's weekly Report for January -

and goes forward immediately; also that the deman[d?] exceeds the supply in all parts of the south; also that he will furnish the American Freed-man's Aid Commission with so much of the information they request from him as lies in his power. In conclusion he begs to thank the Commissioner for the friendly allusion to his action found in the Commissioner's Report, the work in Alabama will show that the foundations were well laid; and acknowledges that the result must come from the Divine blessing

Georgia Letter from Gen Tillson in relation to the prospects of the freed-men and to the Lieut Genl's Report to the President

On the 8th inst. the Bureau received a letter, of date Dec. 29th./65. from General Tillson, acting Asst. Commissioner for Georgia, in relation to the prospects of the freed-men for the coming year, and in relation to the suggestions in regard to the Bureau, made by the Lieutenant Gen'l in his recent Report to the PResident. Genl Tillson dwells briefly, but very hopefully on the former topic - advising the Bureau that the freed-men show great willingness to enter into Contracts, quite a large number of which have been lately made at rates ranging from $12 00 to $15 00 per month with board and lodging for full male hands; and then then passes to a less lengthened discussion of the later, the main points in which is, that the only desirable way in which the Lieutenant General's suggestion can be practically carried into effect "will be to select the Department Commanders with reference to their fitness as representatives of the Bureau in

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their respective States, and let them in addition to their other duties, act as Assistant Commissioners."

Georgia Liunt. Col. Curkendall writer of a case of murder of a Colored Soldiers in day time, & remark upon the State of affairs in Atlanta

From Atlanta, Georgia

the Bureau has, through a letter from Lieut. Col. Curk endall, Sub. Asst. Comm'r, dated Dec. 26th/65. and forwarded by Genl. Tillson January 3rd./66. information of a case of cold-blooded murder perpetrated upon a colored soldier in the day time, in the streets of Atlan ta, by a man "who made his escape in the face of the Police" From the facts in this case, which seem to show that freed-men's affairs wear a much less cheerful aspect in Atlanta than in Augusta, it would appear that the crime was unprovoked, a[nd?] that certain citizens with whom Col. Curkendal[l?] talked about it, rather justified the murderer tha[t?] otherwise, with but little other reason than that th[e?] soldier was a "damned nigger".

Col. Curkendall. remarks, apparently with some r[ea?] son, "should the military be withdrawn it would be well for the little Bureaus of this way to [illegible] iron clad" and seems to think that in such an event the freedmen would even be wo[rse?] off than the Bureau Agents.

Georgia Proposed new system of Laws.

On the 15th instant the Bureau received from Genl Tillson, Asstan[t?] Comm'r a letter of date Jan'y 6th. enclosing a copy of the proposed new system of law, relative mainly to the freed-people of Georgia The chairman of the Committee to draft the

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Virginia

Provost Marshal in Fredericksburg with fine, and imprisonment until the fine was paid.

[S?]pecial Order No. 650. from [illegible] of the Army

By Special Order No. 650. from Head Quarters of the Army, of date Dec. 21st. 1865, Brig. Gen. R. R. Scott U.S. Vols. is ordered to report to the Commissioner of this Bureau for duty

Special Order No. 2 from [Bu?]reau R.F. and A.L.

By Special Ord[er?] No. 2. from this Bureau, of date January 6th, Brig. Gen. R.R. Scott, U.S. Vols., having reported to the Commissioner in compliance with S. O. No 650, (as above) is assigned as Ass't Comm'r, of the Bureau for the State of South Carolina, and ordered to relieve [Brerut?] Major General R Saxton, about to be mustered out of service as [Brevet?] Major General

South Carolina Order: to Bvt. Col. R Saxton to inspect [illegible] in the State

By Special Order No from the Bureau current date Jan. 13. Brevet Col. R Saxton U.S.A. is ordered to make a thorough inspection of the Officer and Agencies of the Bureau in the State of South Carolina, and make a full report thereof.

Louisiana. State of affairs.

From the "New Orle[ns?] Tribune (official organ of the Republican party of Louisiana) of the 6th. instant, the following [illegible] substance is extracted. - All over the State of Louisiana, militia companies, faithful re-pro-

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Georgia Proposed new system of Laws

code, is spoken of by the General as an accom plished Christian gentleman, who at his in stance removed from the Code that had been outlined the objectionable features so suggest ive of the Code passed for analogous purposes by the Legislature of South Carolina.

As it now stands, this Code, with a few ex ceptions, receives the Generals approbation; but he apprehends, from the State of public Sen timent in Georgia, that it will be badly m[u?] tilated before becoming a law.

It provides, among other things, for the striking out from the statute books of all statues, regulations and municipal enactments concerning slaves; for the granting, to persons of color, of the right to acquire, own, and dispose of property; to sue and be sued; to give their testimony under oath in all civil cases where the rights etc, of colored persons are involved, and to be protected in their persons and property; also for the establishment of County Courts the judges of which to be sworn to administer justice impartially without regard to race or color; also for the legalizing of marriage relations between all persons of color who are living together as man and wife; also for the regulations of the parental and filial relations, among persons of color, by requiring parents to maintain their children whether legitimate or illegitimate; and children to be subjected to the same obligations in regard to their parents as those which exist in relations to white persons; also for the regulations of Contracts etc, between masters and servants, and masters and apprentices; also for the punishment of offences by persons of color.

Genl Tillson's letter closes with the expression of a hope that Congress will soon so legislate as to secure to well disposed and industrious freed-people the right to home and lands of their own.

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Virginia Outrages upon Freed-people in 6th and 7th Districts

On the 11th instant, Col. Brown, Asst Comm'r, forwarded to the Commission er copies of reports of outrages committed on freed-people in the Sixth (6th) and Seventh (7th) Districts of Virginia; the Superintendent of the Bureau for the former District reporting five cases, and the Superintendent of the later District reporting seventeen cases of flagrant outrage.

Florida Col. Osborne's plan for Conolozing the Freed-people

ON the 1st inst. Col. Osborne, Asst. Comm'r, forwards to the Commissioner his plan for colonoying the freed-men in Florida; This plan comprehends the purchase by the United States, of so much of the State as lies South of the 28th degree latitude; the organization of this tract into a territory with a territorial Government, and the settlement upon it, if necessary of 115.000 one hundred and fifteen thousand families, each with a homestead of about Eighty acres.

Alabama Letter from L.F. Wellen

On the 20th inst. the Commissioner received a letter from L.F. Wellen, dated Montgomery Ala. Jan 13th in which the letter reports the progress of his "tour" through the South, alluding to the condition of affairs at each of the following points, Viz. Atlanta, Macon Georgia; and Montgomery Alabama. At Atlanta, he found a large number of destitute and suffering blacks and whites, whose

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