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Office Assistant Commissioner
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen
and Abandoned Lands
Montgomery, Ala. Sept 18th 1865

Maj. Gen O.O. Howard
Commissioner &c
Washington D.C.

General;
[[left margin]] Last week's report [[/left margin]]
On Monday last I placed my usual monthly report in the hands of Major B.W. Norris, late Paymaster, who thought he could deliver it to you in advance of the mail. On Wednesday morning, just as he was starting, I handed him a communication marked private, also for you, disclosing some [[strikethrough]] thoughts [[/strikethrough]] indications of an attempt at the exportation of Freedmen to be sold as slaves.
[[left margin]] Captain O.D. Kinsman A.A.G. [[/left margin]]
During the week past I received a dispatch from you stating that Captain O.E. Kinsman A.A.G. for whom at the request of Col. Cadle I had asked an assignment to this District, had been otherwise assigned. 
[[left margin]] Dispatches received. [[/left margin]]
I also received from you a Circular note requesting me to prepare a draft of a bill for the re-organization of the Bureau, which I will do as fast as I can give its provisions due consideration, having in view as directed, its operation in this District.
I am also in receipt of two boxes containing blanks, the receipt for which is enclosed herewith.
[[left margin]] Instructions issued. [[/left margin]]
The Circular of instructions, of which I spoke last week, has been completed, and copies are enclosed herewith. It completes a system which is believed to be homogeneous, and is respectfully submitted for your information.
[[left margin]] Attempts at exportation of freedmen. [[/left margin]]
In regard to the matter presented privately through Major Norris, I have a telegram from Colonel Robinson, at Mobile, stating that troops have been sent as requested up the Alabama 
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river, and a special messenger has been sent to meet them with such meager particulars as we could gather here, which however point more strongly t the coast of Florida, Meanwhile from the Captain Commanding at Greenville, a new and independent source, I have a similar communication a copy of which is transmitted to you herewith. Maj. Gen. Woods, Commanding Department, has written to  Gen. Sheridan, asking to have the Alabama and Florida coast carefully observed. I respectfully suggest that the attention of the Assistant Commissioner for Florida be directed to the matter. It seems as if the spirit of the "sum of all villaines" was around and stirring to make the definition mathematically exact.
[[left margin]] Constitutional Convention.[[/left margin]]
The proceedings of the Convention to this date have been forwarded to you and will be forwarded hereafter daily while it is in session. The situation when it met seemed to me to be that the Governor was considerably in advance of public sentiment, the Convention somewhat behind it. The friends of the right are gathering and I think are gaining daily. If no final action is had until the close of next week. I have [??] hopes that the states in the civil courts, and [??] the educational and other natural rights of the Freedmen will be secured by constitutional enactment.
[[left margin]] Fears of insurrection [[/left margin]]
Since I [??] writing I have received your note of 6th September, giving directions in reference to expressed fears of negro insurrection. No such fears have ever come to my knowledge except that a delegation came over a few days since from Demopolis to represent that the Post Common [??] there 
was recommending it in a profane and violent manner in the hearing of both white and black men. General Davies at once dispatched an Aide de Camp to investigate and abate the evil. Measures will be immediately taken to secure the assistance you suggest, and it will be used [??]