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V 2-BuRFAL (La) 66 L [[?]] (RF&AL Vol 2) 1866 January 23rd 1866. Vandevoort I.M. States that at Pass Christian and vicinity, restrictions are placed on Freedmen more onerous than Slavery by their Employers and the Local Authorities. That passes are required both to leave the post he may be at, and for the purpose of obtaining employment. (One Enclosure) File. Headquarters, Bureau of Freedmen &c State La, New Orleans. January 26/66 Respectfully referred to Col. Thomas Asst Comr for Miss. to inform him with regard to the condition of affairs in a remote part of his district. The writer of this letter is employed here at my [[stamp]] Bureau R.F.& A.L. Washington Rec'd Feb 5 1866 [[/stamp]] Rec'd Hd Qrs Bu RF&AL (La) January 25 1866 Headquarters, and I know him. He lived formerly at Pass Christian and knows well the negros who give him this information. There can be no doubt that where there are no troops the civil officers of counties impose upon negroes restrictions more severe than those enforced during the existence of slavery. (signed) A Baird Bt Maj Genl. Asst Comr for Louisiana File [[stamp]] The National Archives of the United States [[/stamp]] Headquarters, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen &c, State of Louisiana, New Orleans. Jany 26 1866 Copy of communication sent to Col. Thomas, Asst Comr &c, respectfully forwarded for the information of Maj Genl OO Howard, Commissioner A. Baird Bt Maj Genl U.S.V. Asst Comr State of Louisiana EB 2 / 144