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6 to 14 yrs. of age, who could find good houses provided letters of Guardianship were given, binding out the children in good families 'till they become of age. Care could be taken to ensure good treatment, and bonds demanded if necessary. In the absence of other instructions, I have given persons permission to keep such children 'till January 1st 1866, anticipating the inauguration of such a system by that time. 

Violation of Contracts.
Where Freedmen violate contracts without a Just cause, and are reported at this Office, I invariably arrest them if they can be found, and, if unwilling to return to their employer, I confine them for a few days and return them, or put them upon forced labor. It is highly important that they should learn the binding nature of a contract. 

But during the last two weeks my attention has been directed to instances where employers have violated contracts in such a way as to lead to serious consequences. 

All Contracts approved at this Office have required the employer to furnish food, clothing, quarters, fuel and Medical attendance, in addition to such a portion of the crop as the parties agree upon. Our recent difficulty has arisen from neglect or refusal on the