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[[Advertisement]] nent,
Bu[[ureau of Refugees]] [[Newspaper Clipping Pasted Over Letterhead down to salutation]] ]] Abandoned Lands.
ct. 21st 1865.
Maj. J. J. EcKert 
Actg Asst. Secy 
Sir:
[[Newspaper Clipping Starts]] [[illegible]] Bureau
Washington Evening Star May 16, 1806
CIRCULAR LETTER in accordance with General Order War Department No 91, I enter immediate [[illegible]]] duties of commissioner of (illegible]] and abandoned lands. The bureau [[?]] [[illegible]] completed in the order, will be located at the corner of I and Nineteenth streets.
All commissioners, however appointed, who have the charge of freedmen, are required to make a report as soon as possible, of the character and extent of their work.
The commissioners or superintendents in Virginia, South Carolina, and Louisianna are requested to report to me direct the amount of land they may have under supervision for the use of freedmen.
The department commanders in the insurrectionary States will do me a favor by transmitting a copy of the different orders issued by themselves, or by their district commanders, relating to the government and employment of freedmen.  
While it shall be my object to secure as much uniformity as possible in the matter of employment and instruction of freedmen.  I earnestly solicit co-operation from all officers and agents whose position or duty, renders it possible for them to aid me.  The egro should un derstand that he is really free, but on no account, if able to work, should he harbor the thought that the Government will support him in idleness.
O.O. Howard 
Major general, Commissioner of Freedmen's Bureau [[end of newspaper clipping]]
The enclosed advertisement of a Circular letter of this Bureau, dated May 16th 1865 has been sent to the following named newspapers for publication.
Washington. "Evening Star". one insertion May 19. 1865
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Max Woodhull
Col. & Asst. Adjt. Genl.
In the absence of the Maj. Genl. Commissioner.