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180 181 The first section of the circular sets forth the motives which actuates the Asst. Comrs in its issuance. General Orders No. 1 issued Jany 1st 1867 (General orders having been substituted for circulars) is appended and marked "D" It was only in operation a short time being revoked in accordance with instructions contained in your circular letter bearing date Jany 24, 1867. General Orders No. 2 (Marked "E") sets aside the States Labor Law and directs Asst. Comrs to approve no contracts made under its provisions. General Orders No. 3 (marked "F") gives official recognition to the "Freedmen's Savings and trust Company" about the only business by their institution in this state has been with the colored troops, up to the time of the muster out of these Regiments the representative of the Bank Mr. A.M. Sperry attended at all payments made them, explained the objects of the institution he represented and received from them such money as they choose to deposit. Outside of the troops however I think but little has been done in the way of deposits by the freed people they being yet too poor and improvident. The exertions of the agent with the colored troops undoubtedly saved for them thousands of Dollars which would otherwise have been squandered. General Orders No. 4 (Marked "G") republishes Cir. 14 series 1866. The motive for the Asst. Com. for issuing this order and and the results following its promulgation are fully set forth in the annual report 1866. Bt. Maj. General Griffin of Texas; in accordance with the policy of the War Dept. to combine the duties of Comdg of the Dist and Asst Com'r in one and the same office. Bt. Major Genl Kiddoo was relieved and he assigned as Asst. Comr of the State. General Griffin assumed the duties of the office on the 24th day of January see G.O No 1 appended & marked "H." The next order in the series of any general importance is No 3. and marked "I." Previous to the revocation of the order revoked, under its provisions agents collected for approval of contracts funds to the amount of Two thousand three hundred and forty two dollars 60/100 which was applied for the purposes indicated in the order viz to the support of free schools. General Orders No. 4 authorized various civil officers to approve contracts reserving to agents of Bureau the right to interfere in those that do injustice to the freed people. It is appended and marked "J." General Orders No 5. (Marked "K") revokes various orders and circulars issued during the administration of Bt. Maj. Gen. Kiddoo and leaves the freedpeople to seek protection and their rights from the hands of the civil authorities. The experiment proved that anything like Justic from this source was simply farcical and agents were subsequently authorized to proceed as before the issuance of the order, in most cases however being instructed from these Hd. Qrs. either by letter of [[strikethrough]] appointment [[/strikethrough]] endorsement. The last order issued by predecessor Bt. Maj. Genl. Giffin as a general character is No. 11. It is appended and marked "L". School affairs & Report. In regard to matters pertaining to the school Dept. I submit the following report of the Supt. Mr. E.M. Wheelock. Office Supt. of Education B.R.F.& A.L. State of Texas Austin Nov. 29. 1867 Bt Maj. Genl J.J. Reynolds Asst. Com. General, In compliance with instructions requiring a statement of the operation of the schools for freedmen in this State during the official year beginning Nov 1, 1866 and ending Nov 1, 1867, I have the honor to state that during the first two months of that period permission was obtained by Bt. Maj. Genl Kiddoo Asst Com for the State of Teas from the Com'r of B.R.F.& A.L. Washington to apply the proceeds of a fine accruing from rents and fines together with what amount might be realized from the date of certain abandoned property to the payment of salaries to teachers. Until then the schools have been sustained upon a self-sustaining plan and at a minimal cost to the government. By this change it was proposed to assist the income of teachers and reduce the rate of tuition to a sum so small that none would be too poor to pay the stipulated fee. On the 1st January 1867 this system was put in operation in the schools of Galveston & Houston with marked success. the removal of Bt. Maj. Gen. Kiddoo who was relieved by Bt. Maj. General Chas. Griffin, during this month made no essential change in the programme and in four weeks by the terms of the following circular, its provisions were extended over the schools throughout the state
