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32
Headquarters
Bureau R.F. and A.L.
State of Texas
Galveston Oct'r 17th 1865.

Thomas. Surgeon M. P.
0./

Dear Sir,
Your favor received I send your favor relating to the death of the Girl to Lieut Col DeGrass [[DeGress]] with instructions to attend to the Case and report his Action to these Headquarters the Case will be thoroughly attended to and Justice done.

Gen'l Wright expects to have orders to have the Cavalry report to him as soon as that order reaches this [Command you and other Officers will hear from us relative the appointments.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
E M Gregory
Brig. Gen'l and Asst. Com'r

33.
Headquarters
Bureau R.F. and A.L.
State of Texas
Galveston Oct'r 17th 1865

Circular letter.
I. All contracts with Freedmens for labor for the period of One Month and upwards must be consider to writing. Approved by an Agent of this Bureau and one Copy deposited with him, in proper cases he shall require security
II. For Plantation Labor,
I Such contracts will be made with Heads of families they will embrace all the Members of the family who are able to work.

II. The employer will stipulate to provide Good and Sufficient Food, Quarters, fuel, and Medical Attendence for the entire family with such further compensations as shall be agreed upon
III.

III. Such contracts will be a lien upon the Crop of which not more than one half will removed untill all payments have been made, and untill the Contract shall have been released by an Agent of this Bureau or Justice of the Peace in case it is impractical to procure the Services of Such Agent.

III. The usual remedies for violation of Contract to the employer of forfeiture of wages due and to the Freedman of damages secured by lien or personal security and assumed to be sufficient and all that practicable

[[left margin]]Copies Sent to Col. Hall Capt. Scott, J.F. Brownley Esq. Lt. O. Swingley Lt Arnold Capt Green Geo. C. Abbott.[[/left margin]]

IV. But as many persons have not learned the binding force of a Contract, and that "Freedom" does not mean "living with labor" it is further ordered that when any employer under this Order shall make Oath before a Justice of the Peace acting as Agent of this Bureau and having local jurisdiction, that one of his employees has been absent from his employ for a longer period than one day without just cause, or for an aggregate term of more than 5 days in one Month the Authorities shall proceed against such person as a Vagrant.

V. Freedmen committed as Vagrants may be set to work on roads or at any other labor by the Authorities which provide their support or he may be turned over to an Agent of the Bureau.

VI. No Contract will be Approved which does not expire on or before the first day of January AD, 1867.

(Copy of Rules for Contracts as a General guide. respectfully furnished Lt. Col J. C. De Gress, Asst. Com'r B.R.F. and A.L, Houston. Texas.)
By Order of
Brig Gen. E.M. Gregory
Chauncey C. Morse
Lt. and A.A.A. Gen'l

Transcription Notes:
DeGrass or DeGress