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free men, and expresses an interest in their welfare and improvement that will be fostered and encouraged by officers of this Bureau. 

The duties he wishes to assume should be discharged by his office, yet the laws of the State prevent him from recognizing the rights of Freedmen under State authority. He expresses a desire to conform to the policy of the general government with reference to the Freedmen. 

Such a disposition on the part of the civil officers throughout the State would relieve the officers of the Bureau of immense labor and responsibility, and would be the first step towards doing away with the necessity for such a military organization. 

Major GEORGE D. REYNOLDS, Acting Assistant Commissioner Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, for the Southern District of Mississippi, will furnish the said CHARLES BANCROFT, Clerk of the Probate Court of Pike County, all necessary instructions, blanks, records, &c., for issuing marriage licenses, solemnizing marriages and approving contracts. He will, for his labor, be allowed a fair compensation out of fees collected. 

BY ORDER OF COL. SAM'L THOMAS,
STUART ELDRIDGE,
Lieut. Acting Ass't Adj't General.

OFFICIAL: Stuart Eldrige
Lieut. and Act. Asst. Adj't General.