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128 Office Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Montgomery. Ala, Decr 11th 1865 Lt Spencer Smith Asst Supt Freedmen Tuskegee Lieut: Your communication of the 9th inst is received. In cases where employers fail to fulfill their contract you can examine into the case and if you think proper you can send a man on to the plantation with instructions to divide the crop or if the compensation is money you can order the planter not to move more than half his crop until the hands are settled with. This plan is best where you can reach the place. Of course such cases can be referred to Magistrates for action. You can use your own discretion as to such reference. Freedmen are not to be deprived of guns provided they use them in a proper manner, and do not violate any law relative to carrying concealed weapons. Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt A.A.G. Office Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Montgomery Ala. Decr 11th 1865 Chaplain T. Humphrey Asst Supt Freedmen Talladega, Ala. 129 Sir, Your communication of the [[?]] inst is received. It is the intention of the general to leave all matters of dispute between freedmen and their employers to the civil magistrates where practicable. However where employers fail to fulfill their contract you can examine into the case and make each decision as you think just. For instance if the compensation to a freedman is a portion of the crop and it is withheld you can send a man on the place to divide the crop or give notice to the employer not to move his crop or a certain portion of it until his employees are settled with. This plan is best when the plantation is not too far distant. Criminal cases are for the action of civil magistrates. Where however the civil officers deny justice you can request the military authorities to take cognisance of the matter. Report action in such cases at once with name of the magistrate denying justice. An officer will be sent next week to take charge of the Dist of Tuscaloosa. Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt A.A.G. Office Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Montgomery, Ala. Decr 13th 1865 Chaplain T. Humphrey Asst Supt Freedmen Talladega, Ala. Sir:
