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War Department
Bureau of Refugees Freedmen & Aband' Lands
Washington May 15 1867

Circular Letter
I have information from Virginia and South Carolina that intemperance among the freedmen is on the increase. Already a movement is on foot in this city, having in view a thorough organization, so as to enable the colored people to exert all the power possible to prevent the evil in question.

I find that the "Sons of Temperance" in their Grand Divisions retain the old bigotry and decline to extend their Order to save men of dark skins from drunkeness, except it be done upon condition that there shall be compte and enforced separation.

I therefore hope that the Officers and Agents of this Bureau and the agents of the different benevolent associations working for the elevation of the colored people, will take immediate measures to organize associations of colored people, never excluding the white, under the name of "The Lincoln Temperance Society." There is great appropriateness in the name, from the well known character of Mr Lincoln and from the love the freedmen bear him.

Please see to it, that Officers or Agents of this Bureau who may be intemperate men, be immediately reported to this

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