Viewing page 23 of 148

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

38
source of complaint, is that many persons former owners of slaves have apprenticed them under a Statute of this State and hold their services without adequate compensation for their labor performed In all these cases the minors bound out should receive wages, amply secured to be paid upon their reaching majority.
X
[[Left Margin]]State Laws how administered in cases affecting Freedmen.[[/Left Margin]]
From my observation I am fully convinced that the courts do not do justice to the claims of freedmen when in opposition to white persons, the old feeling that "a negro has no rights which a white man is bound to respect." pervades to a greater or less extent the actions of the court, jury and advocate. Perhaps this has not been fully tested in civil actions in this district as but very few freedmen have been able to litigate their claims in courts of law.
XI
[[Left Margin]]Registration[[/Left Margin]]
In obedience to General Orders No 21. from Office of Assistant Commissioner, I consumed the time bewteen July 25 & August 2nd in visiting, & no where could I learn of obstacles being placed in the way of freedmen registering, but on the contrary every facility was being rendered them to register.
[[Left Margin]]Bu R.F.and A.L. Office Sub Asst Commr Columbus Augt 7. 1867.[[/Left Margin]]
I am Major
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
Geo. S. Smith
Capt V.R.C. Bt Major Sub Asst Commissioner
To Maj A.W. Preston A.A.A. Genl Bu R.F.& A.L. Vicksburg Miss

39
424# Bureau Refugees Freedmen & A.L.
Office Sub Asst Commissioner 
Columbus Miss August 9. 1867.
[[Left Margin]]y[[/Left Margin]] Lt. Col E.
Capt & Bvt Lt Col 34th U.S.Infty
Commanding Post Columbus
Columbus Miss
Colonel,
I have the honor to request the detail of two enlisted men armed and mounted, to report to this office for special duty at the earliest practicable moment.
I have the honor to be Col,
Your very Obd't Servt
Geo. S. Smith
Capt V.R.C. Bt Major Sub Asst Commissioner
G 76 F B.D.C. - 1867.

425# Bureau Refugees Freedmen and A.L.
Office Sub Asst Commissioner 
Columbus Miss August 8. 1867.
[[Left Margin]]Peirce[[/Left Margin]] Col L.H.
A.Q.M.D.O. Bu R.F. and A.L.
Vicksburg Miss
Col.
I have the honor to transmit herewith report of persons and articles hired for the month of July 1867. Also vouchers as follows
Wm K White services $100.00
Friensen & Teasdale Stationary 4.45
Ben Nichols services 1.50
$105.95
I am Very Respectfully
Your Obd't Servt
Geo. S. Smith
Capt V.R.C. Bt Major Sub Asst Commissioner

Transcription Notes:
Section X was originally marked section XI but has a partial erasure so ws left as section X.