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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, January 24th, 1867.

General

Hereafter and until further orders, no fees or charges will be exacted by Officers or Agents of this Bureau for service they may render in connection with contracts between freedpeople and their employers, either in the examination, approval, witnessing, or registry of such contracts, or otherwise. Please instruct your subordinates to comply with this requirement.

Later contracts should be in writing. If possible persuade laborers and employers not to rely upon mere verbal agreements. They occasion much confusion. Bureau Agents are required to do all in their power to secure fair contracts for the freed-people, and in offering this service for that purpose, they should let it be understood that they will be rendered without charge to the parties concerned

Transcription Notes:
2-26-2021: Transcribed per guidelines and marking for review