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OF THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.

No. 1.

BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS, STATES OF KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE AND NOR. ALABAMA, Assistant Commissioner's Office, Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 6, 1866.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report progress in Kentucky. My "circular" and "address to the freedmen" were both well received by a large majority of the people. There are some of the meanest unsubjugated and unreconstructed, rascally rebellious revolutionists in Kentucky that curse the soil of the country. They now claim that although the amendment to the Constitution forever abolishing and prohibiting slavery has been ratified, and proclamation thereof duly made, yet Congress must legislate to carry the amendment into effect, and therefore slavery is not dead in Kentucky. Others cling to the old barbarism with tenacity, claiming that the government must pay Kentucky for her emancipated slaves. There are few public journals in the State which afford great comfort to the malcontents, but the majority of the people of Kentucky hail the dawn of universal liberty, and welcome the agency of the bureau in adjusting the new relations arising from the total abolition of slavery. I have succeeded in obtaining the services of many first-class judicious popular citizens to act as superintendents at the important points. The "Blue Grass" region is in the best of the hands. General Hay, at Hopkinsville, was a bad failure. He has been removed. I have consulted General Palmer in the appointment of every agent. I return to Kentucky on the 10th instant, by invitation of the governor, and shall meet the principal planters of the State at Frankfort, in convention, on the 11th. I hope to do good unto them, and make the bureau a blessing to all Kentucky.

With great respect, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK
Brevet Major General, Assistant Commissioner.

Major General HOWARD,
Commissioner,&c., Washington, D.C

[Circular No. 10.]

BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS, STATES OF KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE, Assistant Commissioner's Office, Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 26, 1865.

The ratification of the constitutional amendment forever abolishing and prohibiting slavery in the United States, having been officially announced to the country by proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated December 18, 1865, this bureau extends its supervision over persons recently held as slaves in Kentucky.

On the basis of impartial justice this bureau will promote industry, and aid in permanently establishing peace and securing prosperity in the State.

Agencies of the bureau will be established at points easy of access, and while superintendents will be cautioned against supervising too much, the fair adjustment of the labor question will receive their earnest attention. They will see that contracts are equitable and their inviolability enforced upon both parties.

No fixed rates of wages will be prescribed by the bureau, nor will any community or combination of people be permitted to fix rates. Labor must be free to compete with other commodities in an open market.

Parties can make any trade or agreement that is satisfactory to themselves; and so long as advantage is not taken of the ignorance of the freed people, to deprive them of a fair and reasonable compensation for their labor, either in stipulated wages or a share of the products, there will be no interference.