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Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lads
Head Quarters Assistant Commissioner State of North Carolina
Raleigh N C October 14th 1863.

Circular Letter

1.  This Bureau being in the War Department its Officers and Agents are subject to military jurisdiction and all their decisions and acts are subject to review by the General Commanding the Department

2. For all cases of difficulty between Freedmen or between Freedmen and Whites Officers of this Bureau have authority to summon the parties before them for examination and upon their refusal to appear may request the nearest District or Post Commander to arrest him

3. After careful investigation Officers of this Bureau may furnish offenders guilty of light offences by fines not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100/ or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days Cases of grave crime where there seems to be clear evidences of guilt will be reported to the District Commander with the charges preferred and the names of witnesses.

4. When practicable Officers of this Bureau will associate with them one or two citizens of each county acceptable to both classes in their respective Districts to assist in the adjudication of difficulties arising therein

E Whittlesey Col & Assist Com

Approved

O O Howard Maj Gen
[[?]] Copy