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their own use- the means of subsistence.

An idea has occurred to me to suggest a plan which although open to some objections seems to me feasible and at least worth a trial.  In each county whenever old and decrepid people or families of destitute women and children are reported to the Bureau as unable to support themselves let there be public notice given that on a certain day these will be hired out; by auction.

In no case will man and wife be separated nor families broken up. The conditions of the hiring to be that for the period of one year the person hiring shall furnish food & shelter and so many suits of clothes to the persons hired who shall be required to do such labor as they are capable of.  Bids to be first called for from persons who are willing to pay for the services of those hired, and the highest bid to be taken.  If none are offered then bids to be invited from persons who are willing to take care of the persons hired or receiving pay, the lowest bid in this case to be taken.  In the first case the Freedmen's Bureau to receive [[strikethrough]] pay [[/strikethrough]]