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I

Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Headquarters Assistant Commissioner State of North Carolina
Raleigh N.C. October 14. 1865

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 In 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 punish offenders guilty of light offences by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days based of grave crime where there seems to be clear evidence of guilt will be reported to the District Commander with the charges prefered 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 difficulty arising therein.

[[signature]] E. Whittlesey, [[/signature]] Col. Asst. Com.

approved
O. O. Howard, Maj. Gen.