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OF THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.

I enclose herewith copies of two letters just received from Meade county. Mr. Stewart is circuit judge. It would, I fear, do great harm were the bureau to be withdrawn from any portion of the country where slavery has ceased to exist, as the result of the war, until the people shall have had ample time under the guardianship of the government to adjust their new relations on the basis of impartial justice to all men.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK
Brevet Major General, Assistant Commissioner.
Major General Howard,
Commissioner, &c., Washington, D.C.

Memorandum of report of General Fisk of January 23, 1866.

Kentucky.–Has spent two weeks in examining affairs in this State, and mingled freely with the members of the legislature and the prominent planters, and convened the freedmen together at various places, when he addressed them in regard to their new relations. Has made forty-one appointments in the State; all citizens but three. Has consulted the governor, department commander, senators, representatives, and freedmen. Selected Mr. Thomasson, a firm, honest, capable man, for Louisville. Governor Bramlette is in favor of the bureau, but the mass are bitterly opposed to it and clamorous for its withdrawal, denouncing the act creating it as unconstitutional. This is probably caused by the fact that they are now canvassing for United States senatorship. If all the States were so clamorous for removal of United States troops, and their wishes gratified, ground would have to be rented in Canada for barracks.

In no portion of the country is the bureau more necessary than in some parts of Kentucky, and General Fisk implores the President and Commissioner to listen to no request for withdrawal till impartial laws are made. Soldiers of United States colored troops are beaten, whipped, &c., and threatened with shooting for going to their old homes for their families. On the day that Garrett Davis was pleading for the withdrawal of the bureau from Kentucky his neighbors, lately United States soldiers, were pleading with General Fisk for its continuance. By civil law they are deprived of their arms and fined for carrying them. Those citizens of Kentucky who are not openly against the bureau are passive, and allow outrages to go unpunished.

Camp Nelson is nearly closed. Has been requested by several county officials to provide for all their aged, cripples, sick, and orphans. The bureau is a good thing to bear burdens, but to enforce justice is odious.

Enclosed letters from J. Stewart and W. F. Denton relative to the riotous proceedings of the late rebels towards freedmen at Meadeville, Kentucky, where not even the former owners of negroes are allowed to hire them.

BRANDENBURGH, KY. December 29, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the freedmen of this county have been grossly imposed on by former rebel owners. Whether they are rebels at present is for you to judge upon the information given me by the freedmen. I will state one circumstance, given me by Mr. Patterson, a member of company K, 118th United States colored infantry. He was honorable discharged the service on the 15th day of September, 1865. He came to this place and sent to the country for his wife and children. Their former owner, Shacklett, of