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however, promptly met by the veto of Governor Patton, and the legislation of the State is now substantially adapted to it, except in one particular. During the meeting of the convention, a few of the members kept aloof, but between the greater number and myself entire cordially existed, and we seemed to be working harmoniously together for the common good. The same remark applies to the members of the Legislature. I was frequently invited to meet committees of each, and such meetings were always cordial. The convention at my request directed that some different preliminaries to a marriage license be not required of freedmen, while the Legislature created the Office of Commissioner to assist me, and by resolution tendered me the use of the State militia for the enforcement of "the rules and orders of the Bureau" when United States troops should be withdrawn. Throughout the State but little difficulty has been found in the expectation of orders, in the finding citizen agents of established character, though few agents were necessary under the system adopted here. This is doubtless mainly due to the fact that from the very first, the Provisional Governor entered heartily into the work of the Bureau, and that the present Governor has been no less zealous in the same direction. The entire cordiality existing here between the Executive and Bureau offices has been reproduced throughout the State, and I am grateful for this means of accomplishing whatever has been done. The other side of this story embraces the failure of the Legislature to provide any organized system for the case of the care of the poor, the restriction of the testimony of freedmen to cases in which themselves are parties, the sluggish and reluctant execution of the laws, (in many cases their non-execution) where the sufferer is a freedman and the passage of a stay law which, preventing the collection of any debt within a period of twelve months, practically annuls the collection of the wages upon which very many freedmen are dependent for support. These things often present themselves in very trying instances, and cause me a great deal 79 of concern. It is not necessary to enlarge upon them or practicable to do so in a little space. The Bureau is of course in this State the object of untiring political animosity, which subjects to officers to general dislike and acrimony, and gives full swing to all who seek to revenge themselves by any other means than violence for being stopped in doing wrong. Although these seem to be, I am satisfied they are not, the body of the community, but appear so because one industrious and noisy person of this class is more prominent than ten men who mind their own business. With the mass of the people we have no difficulty whatever. I am, General, Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant (Signed) Wager Swayne Major General. Headquarter District of Alabama Montgomery, June 16th 1866. [[left margin]] Steadman [[left margin]] Maj. Gen. J.B. Steadman Mobile, Ala General, In accordance with your letter of the 14th inst asking the names of officers now on duty in the Bureau in this State who are now or have been interested in plantations, I have the honor to report as so engaged or interested the following officers. Brt Col. C. Cade Hr, A.A.G. G.A Harmount Local Ag't at Montgomery and late chief Q.M of the Bureau J.F. McGogy, Agt at Head Quarters C.W Buckley, Supt. of Education S.S. Gardner, late Agent at Selma. The last named gentleman is not now on duty, and it is not expected that he will be retained in the service of the Bureau. I enclose statements from Messrs Harmount, McGogy