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Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
State of Mississippi, June 6, 1868.
Major General O.O. Howard,
Commissioner B.R.F. & A.L.
Washington, D.C.

(Through Head-Quarters Asst. Com., BR.F & A.L, State of Miss.)

GENERAL:

We, the undersigned, Agents of the Bureau R.F. & A.L., on duty in the State of Mississippi, respectfully represent:

That the salary of Agents in the State of Mississippi, as at present paid, (100 dollars per month,) is insufficient for the maintenance of themselves and families, and totally inadequate for the duties performed by them.  Experience has shown that none but gentlemen, fully qualified by education and experience, should hold the responsible position of Bureau Agents. In the State of Mississippi, more perhaps, than in any other, have these requisites been necessary for the trust. Living in communities thoroughly hostile to the intellectual, civil and political advancement of the Freedmen; combating prejudice, enforcing law, system and order; overcoming obstacles of every kind, our task has not, indeed, been the lightest. In doing this, we feel, of course, that pride which consciousness of doing our duty gives but nevertheless, cannot fail to perceive that in a section of country, where even the necessaries of life are sold at extortionate prices, that we are poorly compensated. Many of us have been hoping that faithfulness and efficiency would be rewarded by advancement or increase of compensation, and with that hope have been silent.

We therefore, General, ask you individually and collectively, to cause an increase of our compensation from one hundred dollar per month, as at present fixed, to one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servants,

$100 Chas C. Walden, Agent Bureau R.F.& A.L. Grenada, Miss.
$100 M. Lathrop, Agent Bureau R.F.& A.L. Panola Miss.
$100 H H Service Agent Bureau R.F.& A.L. Holly Springs
$100 T J Manning Agent Bureau R.F.& A.L. Austin Miss.

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