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36 of color they not only (rightfully) endanger the restoration of the State, but set up a standard of internal dissension and deterioration. On the other hand all candid men agree that society for its own sake must give the freed man the right of marriage, of acquiring property, and a status in the civil courts. "No more than there is involved in a constitution enactment giving to Freedmen the same rights of person and property as other now voting inhabitants of the State." I hope and believe their admission will turn on this. For the non-voting population in any country will progress towards suffrage exactly as it progresses in that influence which results from the efficient conduct of private life. And where its numbers are as great as they are here, that influence gathers rapidly and has a great momentum. But I do not wish to impose upon you a political disquisition, but simply to express the relation of passing wants to the objects of our care. I shall not know until after the Convention is closed, how to draw the bill you have requested me to prepare, the powers of the Bureau under it will be inversely as the liberal action of that body. [[left margin]] Major Miller's Report [[/left margin]] Major Charles A. Miller Act'g Asst Adj't Genl has returned from a trip through the Counties of Washington, Clark, Choctaw and Monroe, where he was sent to investigate the treatment of Freedmen. His report is interesting and important, and I transmit it to you entire. [[left margin]] Capt Poillon [[/left margin]] Capt Wm A Poillon formerly agent of this Bureau at Mobile, is the officer sent to Claiborne on the Alabama river, near where the Sergeant was murdered and where the citizens were so threatening. He is an indefatigable man with the root of the matter in him. The complaints were first entered at his office, and he has colored troops with him, so that knowing the whole story and having the 37 best means of investigation I hope for much good from his administration. [[left margin]] Exportation of Freedmen [[/left margin]] Referring to the special report of Capt Poillon's mission, the alleged attempts at the exportation of Freedmen, that officer writes under date of from Claiborne that the plan seems to be to put on the United States Uniform and go among the Freedmen and offer them three dollars a day to get out lumber near the coast. The lumber schooners there afford some opportunity for running them off. Capt Poillon thinks he is on the track of such a gang, which is expected to return to the vicinity of Claiborne in about two weeks. You will be promptly advised of any result of consequence. The presence of the Convention has in some measure cramped the business operations of the week. I trust it will be found to have enhanced our ultimate usefulness. I am, General, Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant Brig. Gen. and Asst. Commissioner [[left margin]] For Report of 2d Oct 1865 see page 71 [[/left margin]] Office Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Montgomery, Ala. Oct 9th 1865 Maj Gen O.O. Howard Commissioner &c Washington, D.C. General, My weekly report, of usual date, was forwarded to you last week by Mail. Having been somewhat absorbed in the Convention, as soon as it was over to sat down to review the situa[[tion]]
