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[[top margin] No 12 [/top margin]]

CIRCULAR No. 1.

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
Montgomery, Ala., September, 7th, 1865.
The condition of Refugees and Freedmen in this State, in some particulars requires the attention of all persons concerned in the general welfare.
Among Freedmen an impression extensively prevails, that about the close of this year, landed property to a very large extent, indeed all such property of their former owners, will be divided out to them. Such expectations are fruitful of idleness, disappointment and mischief, and of no good whatever. Every effort should be made to show to Freedmen the absurdity of supposing that a government which is simply vindicating their natural rights as one class of its citizens, will for their benefit invade the equal rights and property of another class. 
There is, besides, a wide spread and natural desire on the part of Freedmen to test their new liberty by a change of Employers. In individual cases, and where no loss of time is involved, such a change is generally for the good of both parties. But where it is undertaken by a whole people, whose education points all of them to one customary time, and that in mid winter, it must involve very many in confusion and distress. 
Hence it is urged upon all who are now affording to Freedmen good homes and fair compensation, to contract with them to continue the relation, and it is enjoined upon all freedmen who have such homes to enter into contracts and beware casting themselves adrift in such a whirlpool as is their present social life. 
Again, the freedmen want to learn. They want for themselves and for their children ability to read the Bible, the story of God's love, and the newspaper, the story of man's life. An appeal is made to all Christians, to all who love knowledge or their follow men, to help to meet this want. Practically, almost anywhere, on a large farm, or on a line between two small ones, the freedmen will build a cabin, and pay a teacher the small sum required, if the planters will only give him board. Where this has been tried it has been regarded by increased energy and permeance of labor. Every encouragement the Bureau can afford will be given to those who take this in hand. 
[[strikethrough] The [[/strikethrough]] Past marriages of freedmen, although often formally solemnized, have not been so authenticated that misconduct can be legally punished, or inheritance rightly determined. It is most urgently and plainly needful that this outgrowth of a by gone system should now cease. 
A general re-marriage (for the sake of the record) of all persons married without license, or living together without marriage should be insisted upon by employers and urged by all who have any connection with, or knowledge of such persons. They should know that, if after ample facilities have been