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Office Superintendent,
BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
DISTRICT OF DEMOPOLIS, ALABAMA.
Demopolis, Ala., February 4 1867

Maj Gen. Wager Swayne
Asst Comr Bureau R F & A L
Montgomery Ala

General
A freedman who was under a written contract to labor during the year 1867 got drunk and agreed to work for another man who paid him ten dollars on his wages. The freedman now returns to his contract and is sued by the other party for "obtaining money under false pretenses." Hon W.E. Clarke is defending the Negro and desires me to ascertain of you whether "Gen Order No 12," or that portion of it which directs that contracts with freedmen must be reduced to writing &c, was approved by the President as provided in Sec 1st of the Act of Congress