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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, October 2nd, 1866.

Brt. Maj. Gen & Wager Swayne
Asst. Com'r for Alabama,

General,
It is provided in the Act of Congress organizing this Bureau that the Commissioner shall before the commencement of each regular session of Congress make full report of his proceedings, with exhibits of the state of his accounts to the President, who shall communicate the same to Congress.
Before I can make this report I must have from each Asst. Commissioner a full and clear exhibit of the business of his office, and the workings of the Bureau under his charge for the year past. These reports will be submitted to Congress and should be prepared with great care.
As it will require some time to consolidate them, they must all be forwarded so as to reach this Office by the 10th of November, and should cover the work up to November 1st. 
This letter is written early that all may thoroughly prepare for the labor before them.
Ass. Commissioners may submit the reports of subordinate