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22 FREEDMEN'S AFFAIRS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.

BOUNTIES.

  On June 9, 1868, I submitted to honorable James Speed, attorney at law, the laws governing the disbursement of bounties to colored soldiers, and the question of my  duty in the premises. His decision was submitted to you June 9, 1868. It is exceedingly annoying, and I may say humiliating to me, as an officer, to find that the law does not prevent men purchasing bounties, taking advantage of the ignorance of and defrauding the soldiers; i.e., that although I am aware of the fact that the claim has been sold, and know that the negro will pay the whole amount of the bounty over to the purchaser, the law law thereby being violated, I must pay the whole amount without question. As long as such is the law, I have nothing to do but pay the bounties.
  The following cases have been submitted to B.H. Bristow, esq., United States district attorney, and it is thought that the parties purchasing the claims can be prosecuted for obtaining money under false pretences:

Joseph Edwards, late corporal company A 15th United States colored troops.
Wallace Gray, late sergeant, company C, 108th United States colored troops.
Alfred Ogden, late private company I, 108th United States colored troops.
Thomas Frail, late private company H, 108th United States colored troops.

  The United States grand jury convenes on Monday, June 15, 1868, and we will then see what can be done. The pathetic stories of these gentlemen that they "loaned a little money to their old servants as a great favor, and only want their own back," is all bosh. The cases of W.D.B. Morrill and H.M. Carr, claim agents, investigated by the board convened by Special Orders No. 63, dated May 18, 1868, have been submitted. I understand that all the claim agents and purchasers of claims bid me defiance. They think the bureau is about to expire, but if there is any virtue in the law we will worry them a little before we die.

CLOTHING.

  The following is a list of clothing issued to the destitute feeedmen during the month: 12 pair of pants, 6 blouses, 2 jackets, 5 pairs men's brogans, 4 pairs women's brogans, 1 pair of children's brogans, 6 hats, and 4 men's undershirts.

CONTRACTS.

 The number of contracts made and approved by the officers of the bureau during the month was 48. The number of persons contracted with was: Males, 37; females, 12; total 49. The rate of wages paid per month was: Males, $15 50; females, $8 90, including quarters and rations.

DESTITUTION.

  No destitution reported.

GENERAL CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.

  Remains unchanged in the State, except in the Danville district, where there has been some improvement. This is due to the fact that a large number of the citizens of Boyle, Garrard and Lincoln counties, who were outraging negroes in April, have been arrested and brought before the United States grand jury, all of which has resulted in their being indicted. Most of the witnesses in these cases were brought here by the bureau under instructions from the Commissioner, in letter dated February 29, 1868.