Viewing page 223 of 302

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

for ever securing the smallest of their rights.  It is the solemn duty of the government to protect these destitute, ignorant ones it has set free until they are educated to understand and given to enjoy all the rights of free citizens of the republic.  The only friends they have now are the agents of this bureau.  I would respectfully suggest that the greatest care be exercised in the matter of restoring abandoned lands.  The lands which have been taken possession of by this bureau have been solemnly pledged to the freedmen.  The law of Congress has been published to them, and all agents of this bureau acting under you orders have promised these lands to the freedmen.  Thousands of them are already located on tracts of forty acres each.  Their love for the soil and desire to own farms amounts to a passion.—it appears to be the dearest hope of their lives.  I sincerely trust the government will never break its faith with a single one of these colonists by driving him from the home which he has been promised.  It is of vital importance that our promises made to freedmen should be faithfully kept.  I feel very desirous that you should understand the exact status of affairs in the states of So Car and Ga.  In exact proportion as the agents of