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War Department.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, September 19, 1866.

General, 
In the organization and conduct of Bureau Courts should you have any or have occasion under the law to re-establish there you will be guided by the following instructions 
1st Bureau Courts shall be composed of three numbers, one of which shall be an officer or agent of this Bureau, and one selected by each of the parties interested. Should one or both the parties interested refuse to choose a member of the Court the Asst. Comr. himself shall make such selection.
2 Bureau Courts shall have jurisdiction of all cases relating to compensation for labor of refugees and freedmen and may hear and determine all other civil cases between refugees, freedmen, and others, not involving sum hun the sum of $300.; they may also try offenses committed by or against freedmen, provided the punishment imposed shall not exceed a fine of $100. or imprisonment at hard labor for 30 days. The judgment of these Courts may be enforced my military authority and shall not be obstructed by the stay laws of any state. The Agent of the Bureau serving on a Bureau Court shall keep a concise