Transcribe page 138 of 258

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directing certain county officers or suitable citizens whom I might designate to act as Agents of the Bureau in this State, this was done with the full understanding and assent that the Agents so appointed should receive the testimony of freedmen in all cases in which they were parties interested as required by party. Circular No. 5 from your office._

You will notice that the authority to appoint "suitable citizens" exceeds even the request made in any letter which simply asked that certain county officers already selected by the people should be authorized to act as Agents of the Bureau.

This so far as I am informed gives me authority not heretofore granted the representative of the bureau by any other State, so far as I am informed.

The Agents thus appointed will not only act by virtue of authority granted them from the Bureau, and in Compliance with its orders, but also under authority conferred upon them by the resolution of the State Convention, thereby becoming not only officers of the U.S. but of this State.

It is difficult to understand how the Courts of this State can hereafter either disregard or refuse to recognize the acts of these Agents as legal and binding, even should they be so disposed.

I shall immediately prepare careful instructions for the Agents to be appointed as indicated, defining their jurisdiction and duties and listing a

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