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349.
Hd qrs Dist of Texas
B.R.F. & A.L
Austin, Dec 3. 1867.

Howard Maj. Genl. O.O.
Commissioner &c.
Washington D.C.

347./350

General,
I received yesterday a telegram from Col: Whittlesey directing me to "Permit Genl Griffin's Cir: No7. to be enforced till you report with regard to it pro or con by order" - In reply I have the honor to invite attention to G.O. No 17. Oct 29. 1867. (copy enclosed) It is with great reluctance that I make any remarks with reference to Cir. No 7. (copy enclosed) and but for the order continued in the telegram quoted above would not do so. It is simply impossible to execute it, The agent of the Bureau sees that the freedman receives his share of the crop and advises him as to its disposal. He can rightfully do no more. There are cotton buyers and grain buyers everywhere. The freedmen who shipped their cotton last year got a much smaller return than those who sold for money on the ground and put the "commissions" in their own pockets. Does Cir No 7. mean they shall decline to sell for cash on the ground if offered? If they do ship however they live entitled to ship through whatever commission house they choose they must act for themselves sometimes and that they had better be encouraged to begin which they have the Bureau Agents for advisors. I have a copy of the bond referred to in Cir. 7 and am advised by high legal authority that it is not worth the paper on which it is written. I venture the assertion that the business world has seen for the first time, in this circular a coms'nd merchant enter into bonds binding himself to the faithful collection of his own commissions.

The firm of A Ruttkay & Co. have sent Cir. letters to the Sub asst. Coms'rs stating that the firm would be happy to plan to the credit of the S.A. Com. at any plan designated in Galveston the commissioner on the cotton shipped by them & belonging to F.M. Are the S.A.C.'S also to have their commissioners on this business? The execution of Cir. 7. if it could be effected, would probably ensure to the benefit of A. Ruttkay & Co. but their benefit 


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would be at the expense of the freedmen, I do not find in the law creating the Bureau any authority for enriching A. Ruttkay & Co. at the expense of the freedmen of Texas. I repeat my sincere regret that the telegram above referred to has obliged me in justification of own order No. 17. to make reference to circular 7.

I have the honor to be, General
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Serv't.
J J Reynolds
Bt Maj. Gen U.S.A.
Asst. Commissioner

350.
Hd qrs Dist of Texas
B.R.F. & A.L
Austin, Dec. 3, 1867

Howard Maj. Genl. O.O.
Commissioner &D.
Washington D.C.

347./355

General,
In compliance with Cir, lat, dated W.D.B.R.F.& A.L. Washington Augt 28. 1867, I have the honor to transmit the inclosed list of civilian employes on duty in the bureau in this state, for the month of Sept. 1867; giving station, compensation to.
            Every effort was made to obtain the desired information in order to forward the Report at the required time, but the [[?]] of many of the Agents from these [[?]] [[?]] the uncertainty of the mails precluded its completion previse to this date.

I am, General,
Very Respectfully, 
Your Obt.Svt.
J J Reynolds 
Bt Maj Genl U.S.A.
Asst Comm