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Head Quarters Sub Dist of Alabama
Montgomery Ala, Oct. 13th 1865

General Orders}
No 5}

The following is published for the information of the parties concerned.

Department of State
Washington Oct. 3rd 1866.

Maj Genl O.O. Howard
Supt of the Freedmens Bureau
Washington D.C.

General
This Dept has information that plans are on foot to lead freedmen to move abroad, and in particular, to Peru, upon a promise of higher wages than they receive at home, and probably by other inducements.

As there is reason to believe that these promises will be fulfilled it is deemed to be the moral duty of the Government to prevent the freedmen from being imposed upon by them. It is consequently suggested that officers of your Bureau be instructed to advise the freedmen to be cautious how they conclude bargaining to go to foreign countries.

I am General
Your Obt. Servant
(signed) William H. Seward

Official copy respectfully furnished for the information of Maj Genl Wager Swayne, Asst Commr for Alabama, who is directed to comply with the suggestion contained in the foregoing letter of the Secretary of State. Contracts of Freedmen will not be approved by asst Commr when they are required by the term of contract to pass beyond the limits of the United States, such proposed contracts, if any exist, must be forwarded

to Washington for the consideration of the proper authorities.
By Order of
Maj Genl Howard
Commissioner Bureau R.F. & A.L.
(signed) A. P. Ketchum
A A A Genl.

To prevent the said above refered to, the agents of the Freedmens Bureau throughout the State will cause this order to be circulated in their respective neighborhoods, and will promptly forward any information they may have or may acquire of any agreement whatever, with freedmen to go beyond seas, or any attempts to induce them so to do.

By Order of
Maj Gen Wager Swayne
(signed) J. F. Conyngham
lst Lt 15th USI, A A A G

HeadQuarters Sub Dist of Alabama
Montgomery, ala, Dec. 31st 1866

General Orders }
No. 6 }

Pursuant to G O No. 100 Hd, Qtrs Dept of the Tennessee, dated Louisville KY, Dec 22d/66 lst Lt Jno.F. Conyngham 24th US Infantry is hereby announced as A A A G of the Sub. Dist. of Alabama. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
(signed) Wager Swayne
Maj General