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Office Supt. Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 
Sub-District Huntsville, 
Huntsville, Ala., January 20, 1866.

Circular No. 1

The Superintendent publishes this Circular for the information of all concerned: Freedmen, Employers, and Employees, colored and white; also, for the information and guidance of Sub-Agents in the different Counties of this District:
1. That the objects of the Bureau are to harmonize the interests of the Freedman with that of the white man, and, so far as possible, to make their interests identical, without distinction of color. 
2. That all contracts with Freedmen and Women for labor, or otherwise, must be equitable, and be compiled with in spirit and in letter, alike by employer and employee. 
3. That no fixed rate of wages will be prescribed, only in individual cases, and then not without the approval of the Superintendent, or his Agent.
4. Parties can make any contract or trade that is satisfactory to themselves; but advantage of the ignorance of the Freed People will not be taken, and no contract will be approved where such intent appears. 
5. All contracts with Freedman must be in writing, in duplicate, approved by the Superintendent or Agent, and recorded in his Office. 
6. It is expected and required of Freedman that they work under the direction of their employer. They must, in all cases, be sober, industrious and faithful, having in view the best interests of their employer, whose work they are in no case to neglect, or quit his employment, unless treated with cruelty.
7. It is expected and required of the employer that he treat the Freedman with humanity, recognizing in all its length and breadth, height and depth, the fact that the negro is free and equal before the law; and never losing sight of the fact, that the obligation in the contract is binding alike on the employer as well as the employee. 
8. Parents are responsible for the support of their children, and children for their aged, helpless parents, and, so far as possible, contracts will be made with this fact in view. The Officers of the Bureau have been appointed Guardians of orphans and minor colored children. State laws with regard to apprenticeship of white, will be regarded as applying to colored children. 
9. All contracts with Freedmen or Women for the leasing or renting of land, must be duplicated and approved by the Superintendent, the same as contracts for labor. In case employers fail or refuse to make such contract in writing, as above, and a controversy or dispute should arise between the parties as to the amount agreed upon, he will, in all cases, be compelled to pay the highest price paid in the District for the same class of hands. 
10. In no case will old and infirm Freedmen, who are destitute, be turned away from their present homes until the Civil Authorities shall have made ample provision for their shelter and support. The same rule must apply to helpless children who are destitute.
11. In all cases adjudicated or tried upon or tried by a Justice of the Peace, wherein the Freedman is a party to the suit, testimony will be taken without distinction of color. Agents of the Bureau are required to promptly report to this Office all cases coined under their observation, where this rule is not strictly complied with.
12. Freedmen will not be permitted to loiter about towns or country neighborhoods without any visible means of support. All such will be dealt with as Vagrants, according to laws now it force against white Vagrants. 
13. Citizens are requested to co-operate with the Agents of the Bureau in administering relief to the indigent of the District. 
John B. Callis,
[[?]] Col. U. S. V., & Supt. Dist. Huntsville, Bureau R., F. & A. L.