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Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Office Financial Agent, State Of North Carolina,
New Berne, N.C., March 2nd, 1866.

Colonel
I would respectfully request information concerning the proper functions of the County Police. Is it within their duty upon a writ issued by an officer of the Bureau to levy an execution for debt & costs or should the officer call upon the Sheriff of the County. The question has arisen at Kinston where Capt Huggins Chief of Police is I think disposed to be governed by my decision. I have examined the various orders upon the subject from Dept Hd Qrs to no purpose, & am unwilling to give an opinion. Explicit instructions as to the means by which officers of the Bureau at isolated points can enforce the payment of just debts due to Freedmen or by Freedmen to whites are earnestly requested.

The jailor at Kinston refuses to admit prisoners on a sentence of the officer of the Bureau without a previous Guarantee for his fees. It is customary for the fees to be paid by the prisoner, who in default of them is kept in confinement unless he produces satisfactory evidence that the entire value of his property is less than a specified sum.