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166 the supplies they will be sent to you. They supplies will be sent to you if you will be kind enough to attend to their distribution. Very Respectfully, Your Obt Servt A.A.G. Office Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Montgomery Ala. Jany 11th 1866 J.F. Waddell Esqr Judge of Probate Crawford, Russell. Co. Alabama Sir: I am in receipt this morning of your note of 4th inst. touching the exercise of your power to apprentice colored children. There is no conflict whatever between the orders of this Bureau and the laws of Alabama, as far as the latter extend. Both contemplate that a certain discretion shall rest in you to apprentice minors according to the terms of the Statute. The interference of Lieutenant Smith with your judicial acts without special authority and direction from this office is unauthorized, and you do right to bring such action to my notice. But the question raised is a further one. Whether there has been on your part such an abuse of this discretion as requires the revocation of an agency. And upon this question I have first to say that I realize fully what is due to a judicial position and what should be the extent and preponderance of proof. And it is 167 due to you to acknowledge the full and explicit character of your note. At the same time I have the contrary statement of Lieutenant Smith that grave practical evils follow your administration and severe statements of the same tenor from several of your neighbors, at least one of whom, claiming to be disinterested, [[?]] with intelligence and emphasis. All this touching the matter of apprenticeship only. These statements being ex parte, furnish no sure basis of action, and I am only painfully embarrassed. As soon as I can spare him I will send a competent officer in whose judgement I have confidence, to endeavor to reconcile all parties, and see that full justice is done. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Smith will be advised of the proper channel of interposition. Respectfully, Your Obt Servt Brvt Maj Gen & Asst Coms'r Office Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Montgomery, Ala, Jany 12th 1866 Lt. S Smith Asst Supt R. F& A. L. Tuskegee, Ala, Lieut; Your communication respecting the action of Judge Waddell in apprenticing children has been received. His course in this respect will be investigated. Your attention is
Transcription Notes:
The Brevet Maj. General is also the Asst. Commissioner of the Bu. of R.F. & A.L. He is not a Commandant or Commander, but a Commissioner. If you look at the address at the top of each letter, you will see when it says Office of Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of R.F. & A.L., then the "Brvt Maj Gen & Asst Coms'r" at the end refers to that same person.