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useful in importing information, and in approving contracts, which are either approved now in Columbus or so unapproved.
I found the agent at Columbus quite reluctant to approve contracts for Alabama as the State is in a separate Department.
  (3) There is remaining at Girard some Confederate property but it would require the presence of soldiers to gather it up to make it available.
  (4) An agent is needed there the more, from the fact that the Probate Judge of Russell County, James T. Waddell from all I could learn, is not to be trusted in matters pertaining to freedmen.  It is alleged that he has bound out many children contrary to the wishes of their parents and this even when the parents are able to support their children.  The annexed form of contract, gotten up for Russell Co. and used in adjoining counties, and which is approved by Judge Waddell, clearly indicates his unfitness to act as civil agent of the bureau.  The very first rule violates Genl order No 12 and 8th & 14th rules indicate that his


[[margin note]]Blank contracts for hiring freedmen, for Georgia and Alabama, can be obtained at this office. [[/margin note]]