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War Department, 
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 
Mobile, [[strikethrough]] Washington [[/strikethrough]] Nov. 30, 1865.

Brig. Genl. Wager Swayne
Asst. Com. State of Alabama.

General, 
I wish you would draw up a circular and form of contract and put them forth for the coming year. 
Please in the circular correct the false impression prevailing amongst the freedmen with regards to land. I notice it is being done already by some of your agents. Urge the negroes to enter into contracts by every reasonable inducement you can offer. If they do not, there will be great suffering and we cannot prevent it. I will furnish Col. Robinson a copy of this letter.

Respectfully Yours
O. O. Howard
Maj. Gen. Comr.

Transcription Notes:
edited: removed Archive stamp, per SI ignore,