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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, May 4th 1866.

Brig. Major Gen Wager Swayne
Asst. Form'r.
General,

I am directed by Maj. Gen Howard to forward for your information the enclosed copy of a resolution of the House of Representatives. 
Pursuant to direction of the Secretary of War, the Commissioner wishes you to make an enquiry into the condition of persons within your jurisdiction who are referred to by the resolution, to take immediate Steps for their relief and to report the result of your enquiries and the action that may be taken. You will make requisition for the necessary rations upon the proper Commissary Officers within your District. They have been directed to make such issues as you may require for this purpose. 
The Commissioner also directs that hereafter a monthly estimate for each State be made by each Asst. Commissioner showing the amount of rations which will be needed to prevent actual suffering among the class of persons above referred to, and that such estimate be forwarded to these