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[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

HEAD QUARTERS, COMMISSION FOR REGULATING RELATIONS BETWEEN FREEDMEN OF INDIAN TERRITORY, AND THEIR FORMER MASTERS.

Fort Gibson, January 1st, 1866

CIRCULAR No.1.

I... The following portions of the Instructions from the Secretary of the Interior to the undersigned are published for the information of all concerned:

"DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, D.C., Nov.20. 1865.

BREVET MAJ. GENL. JOHN B. SANBORN,

Sir:

"You will proceed as soon as practicable to the Indian Territory and establish your Head Quarters at such point a may be most convenient for the purposes herein indicated, and, as soon as possible thereafter, visit the various tribes heretofore holding slaves and make yourself acquainted with the present condition of the Freedmen and with the state of feeling, relations, prejudices or difficulties existing between them and their former masters.

In cases where the feeling existing between the parties is amicable and the relations satisfactory to both, and the rights of the Freedmen are fully acknowledged, you will not interfere or disturb those relations, but, in all cases where the rights of the Freedmen, as such, are denied by the Indians, or where abuses exist or wrongs are perpetrated upon the Freedmen, you will at once interfere and afford such relief as may be within your power

While acting thus, as the protector of the rights of the Freedmen you will be careful to impress upon them the fact that they will not be supported or encouraged in idle habits but must labor for their own support, and, to this end, you will encourage them in making contracts with such persons as may be willing to hire them as laborers, either for wages in money or receiving a share of the crops to be raised, such contracts should be made in writing and filed for reference and in no case extend for a longer period than one year, and where differences arise between the Freedmen and the Indians as to the payment of wages, division of crops, right to property or other matters which cannot be adjusted by the parties themselves you will act as arbitrator and make such award as equity and good conscience may appear to demand."

"It is deemed the best policy in the interest of both the Freedmen and their former masters, that the former should be provided with lands set apart for their especial and exclusive use, upon which they may reside and by their own labor, provide subsistence for themselves and their families."

[[stamped]] BUREAU R.F. & A.L. WASHINGTON REC'D FEB 12 1866 [[/stamped]]