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Bureau R. F. and A. L.
Greensboro N C June 8" 1866

Bvt Maj Gen Ruger V
Asst Commissioner
Raleigh N C

Sir

Your letter of equiry dated June the 7th 1866 is at hand in reply will say I have made and Approved 128 contracts for Freedmen Since I have had control of this office for making and Approving those contracts I have collected (3) thre dollars.. to this statement I am ready and willing to be qualified to at any moment. If you desire me to do so I will refer you to the parties to whom contracts have been made. In regard to compelling White men to Enter in to contracts with Freedmen. [[underline]] This change [[/underline]] is [[underline]] utterly false and unwarrented [[/underline]] I have Encouraged [[superscript]]the[[/superscript]] contract System with all classes of Citizens. At the same time have required no person or persons to enter in to contracts. and to show you how absurd and groundless this