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Bureau of Refugees Freedmen & Abandoned Lands Edenton NC Dec 26th/65 Sir I have the honor to call you attention to the following complaints from Martin & Bertie Cos. That Lieut Swartz has empowered a man by the name of Watts to bind children who is Doing it by the wholesale (as rumor says $400 per head) I do not know by what order he can do this for my own part I interpret this right very Differently that I have no right to bind children who have parents without their consent but I understand that all they require is for a man to make out a List of names and pay the Almighty Dollar and they will bind half north carolina to them In a Legal point of view it is not correct as this officer has no right to delegate authority as he is realy out of the service: It is also very injurious to the Bureau [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] in its bearings upon society: for instance it tends to break up families and this System perverted is worse than slavery itself besides the colored people will loose confidence and would I think be ripe for anything if this is persisted in I do not wish to be considered impertinent in this matter I simply consider this my duty to inform you: so you may take what action you may think proper I have the honor to be with high Esteem Very Respectfully your Obedient Servant A.G. Tennant 1st Lt. & Asst Supt Freedmen Capt F.A Seely Supt. E. District
Transcription Notes:
A.G. Tennant