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TO THE PEOPLE OF SPALDING COUNTY.

Fellow citizens, There appears to be the necessity that I should say a world to you, that harmony and prosperity come out of distract on and confusion.

There may always be found persons who will misconstrue and misrepresent every interest but their own, and in many cases even their own: for the loss of harmony in a community, amounts to the destruction of its prosperity.

I have been appointed agent of the Bureau of Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands for this County and it is my desire to faithfully execute the order under which I act.  To do this, it is necessary that those who come under my jurisdiction, should be posted as to the duties required in this particular department by the Government, that they may cheerfully, and with a knowledge of the benefits to be deprived comply, and thus secure harmony and good feeling.

I have not accepted this position to be the champion of the Freedmen in defiance of the right of any other class of society. I am placed here as a defender of their rights, and a protector of the rights of those who employ them. They are illiterate and equally imposed upon— I am here to prevent such [[impulsion?]] while at the same time, I must compel them to be faithful and obedient, thus securing to the community reliable and profitable labor. 

The requirements of the Freedmens Bureau are few and simple, and are: That it is necessary to take written contracts with the Freedmen, and they must be approved by an Agent of the Bureau to make them valid, and to secure its co-operation. Contracts entered into in any other way will not have any weight, should complaint from either contracting party be lodged to the Bureau. When the Bureau approves a contract it becomes responsible for the faithful fulfillment of that contract by both parties. Should parties see fit to ignore the existence of this Bureau, and employ freedpeople, and then should get into disputes with them about the pay, and the Freedmen should make complaint to the agent of the Bureau, it then devolves upon him to compel the payment of "the highest wages given for the same kind of labor in their neighborhood or section of the country."

The Bureau has jurisdiction over the Freedmen's conduct—if he fails to comply with his contract, it is the business of the Bureau to compel compliance. If is employer deals unfairly with him, it is the Bureau's business to have him righted, and if necessary punish offenders. The Bureau is not an asylum for renegade Freedmen, as many suppose nor is it a refuge for burthens property belonging to others—such as [[[?,?]]], children, and the old and decrepid. The family relationship between Freedmen must be regarded precisely as that which exist among white people: The parent must support the child and control it, and the children must support and care for their aged and helpless parents. In cases where helpless freedpeople are left upon the hands of their former owners, with no children to assist in their support, it becomes the duty of those for when they have spent their lives in toil, to keep them till the state can provide a refuge for them.

Minors who have no natural parents, or where the parents consent, can be bound by indenture to those approved of by this Bureau, blank forms of which instruments may be had at my office.

The Bureau has also adopted a form of contract which can be had on application. This is done for the sake of conformity, and I hope it will be complied with at once. 

I beg to caution you on false reports that evil disposed person in my circulate, to the prejudice of myself or this Bureau. Be assured that nothing [[?]] conflicting with the best interests of the people, will ever be promulgated by me. 

In conclusion, let me say although I have been unfairly opposed by some of you for years in my political views, yet I am not the man who will proscribe, or exercise a petty power over you in retaliation. I have my own opinions [[?]] that every man shall have his. As agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, I know no politics but my duty, and that I will perform, by permission of Providence, to the best of my ability, without fear or favor. 

J. CLARKE SWAYZE
Agt Bureau R. F. A. L.