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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, Sept. 6th, 1865.

Brig. Genl. Wager Swayne
Asst. Commissioner &c.

Genl. THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Much fear is expressed to me, by various Southern people of an insurrection amongst the Freedmen. Now I do not credit one half the stories I hear, but in order to quiet apprehension, please secure from the Dep't Commander if you can, an order for patrolling the country whenever you and he may deem it necessary. And in case you have not Officers enough so as to have a recognized Agent in each county, select through careful inquiry a citizen who is willing to aid you in the matter of preserving order and forwarding Contracts, if such can be found who is willing to do so without compensation, upon your recognition. The Agents had better be selected by an Officer of tact, taking such as are fully willing to support the Government with heartiness. It may be some local subscription, or compensation could be obtained, I will leave