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of the real expediency of this, I of course have no opinion. I am anxious to set Captain Graves at work, and if practicable in view of the above, should be glad to have him receive an order to discharge for me the partial duty above mentioned so that I can send him about without the anomaly of issuing orders to an officer not borne upon my roots[[?]].

Very Respectfully 
Your Obt Servt
Brvt Maj Gen & Asst Comsr.

Postscript (Unofficial)
I beg to introduce Col Wright personally as an estimable gentleman and a valued friend and commend him to your kind offices.

B.M.G.


Office Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Montgomery, Ala. Jany 13th 1866

Brvt Maj Chas. R. Woods
Comdr. Dept of Alabama
Mobile, Ala.
General:
I am greatly obliged by your letter of the 11th inst, both for the information given and for your interest in the Bureau.

It is my opinion that there can be no question that under the President's order of Novr 11th the boats in the Tombigbee River belong to the Freedmen's Bureau and though I do not like to appear unduly anxious

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for the control of money yet the necessities of the Bureau are so urgent and its usefulness so dependent on a moderate supply of funds, that I should not feel that I had performed any duty, if I did not urge its claim to these vessels as far as possible.

I have written to Genl. Howard in reference to the matter and hope that he may be successful in getting them assigned in accordance with the order of the President to us. 
Brvt Lt Col Wright will proceed to Mobile to 
represent the interests of the Bureau as you suggest and will call on you in reference to this matter, as well as the other property mentioned by you. I trust you will give him such assistance as may be possible and in accordance with your views of justice to the Bureau.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Brvt Maj Gen & Asst Comsr.
Office Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Montgomery, Ala, Jany 13th 1866

Co. R.V. Montague
Collector of Customs
Mobile, Ala
Sir:
Brvt Lt Col Wright, Chief Receiving and Disbursing officer, is about to proceed to Mobile, and will call upon you in reference to property embraced in Executive order of Nov. 11th 1865 which your letter advises me you are directed by the Secretary of the Treasury in a