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HEAD QUARTERS,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
STATE OF LOUISIANA.
New Orleans, October 4th 1865.

Major General O.O. Howard,
Commissioner etc. etc.
War Dept. Washington D.C.

General:-
I am informed by Rev. Dr. Backus, of New York, that my letter to you stating the inadequacy of my salary, is likely to be made the cause of my removal. I am also informed by Major General Canby that Brevet Major Gen'l Baird has been ordered by the War Department to report to you for duty as Asst. Commissioner for this State.  Although I did not desire this change, on account of the deep interest which I have in the great work committed to your hands; yet I assure you that for my own sake, and after more than four years of public service, during which period I have not had one days rest, I welcome it.  I know that every friend of the Bureau in Louisiana, who is not influenced by motive of selfishness will regret the change, but I will prepare their minds by every influence at my com (mand)