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[[preprinted]]
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Head-Quarters, Asst. Commissioner, State of North Carolina
Raleigh, N.C., ^[[Jany 24"]] 186^[[6]] [[/preprinted]]

In the case referred by you, if the cause of separation is bad conduct on the part of the mother, the children may be taken by the father, who is bound by law to support them.

If he is unable to support them and can bind them out to reliable men, application should be made to the nearest officer or agent of the Bureau, who has full authority to bind children with the consent of parents or proper guardian.

By Command of Col Whittlesey Asst. Commissioner
[[signature]] Fred H. Beecher [[/signature]]
Lt & A.A.A. Genl.

The officer for Bladen Co is stationed at Wilmington N.C. and any communication addressed to him will be duly honored -

[[signature]] F H Beecher [[/signature]]
Lt & A A A Genl