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242 243 You will return the enclosed article with such information as you may derive. I am Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt. J. P. Richardson 1st Lieutenant 26 Inf. A.A.A. Genl. 439 Headqrs Dist of Texas Bureau R.F. & A.L. Austin, Texas, Feb. 12, 1866 Chandler Capt R. Asst Secy for Civil affairs New Orleans La. 0/497 Captain, In reply to your letter of the 4th inst I have to state, that Agents of the Freedmens Bureau in Texas have been in the habit of considering and passing upon complaints brought before them when freedpeople were concerned. I am not aware that these Agents claimed to be "Judges" in the legal sense of the term nor that they have held court in that sense. The common parlance of the State has however adopted the terms "Bureau", "Bureau Court", "Freedmen's Court" &c to designate Agents of the Bureau to whom cases have been and are almost daily referred. They have imposed fines. From January 1st to Jany 29, 1867, they were permitted to charge fees for services, which fees constituted a part of the Freedmen's School fund. See General Orders No 1 January 1st 1867 and General Orders No 3 January 29, 1867. Headquarters District of Texas, Freedmens Bureau, Series for 1867. These acts have been performed under the following authorities. Act of Congress of March 3 1865 Act of Congress of July 16, 1866 Sec's 3 & 14 Act of Congress of March 2, 1867 Sec 5. Circular 5 Par VII War Department Bu RF &c Series of 1865 Circular 11 Par IV War Department Bu RF &c Series of 1865 Circular 8 Last Par War Department Bu RF &c Series of 1866 Circular letter of General Howard, dated Feb 12,1867 published in General Order No 9 Bureau Series of Texas for 1867. Circular No 1 Sec 2 Bu RF &c Bureau Series of Texas, Oct 12, 1865 General Orders No 5 Par VI Bureau Series for Texas. Feb 2 1867 Printed footing to letters to Sub asst Commissioners, publishing circular No 10. Headquarters, District of Texas, series of 1867. Circular Letter Bu RF & AL, series for Texas, June 21, 1867 The accompanying papers will furnish copies of the above authorities (except the Acts of Congress) I am, Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt J J Reynolds Bt Maj. Gen. U.S.A Asst: Commissioner State of Texas. See L.R. C 43 See L.R. H.134 440 Head qrs Dist of Texas Bureau RF & AL Austin, Texas, Feb 12 1868. Howard Maj Gen O.O. Commissioner &c Washington D.C. 436/445 General, I have the honor to transmit herewith Special Order No 8 Current Series, issued from this Headquarters I am General Very Resp: Your Obt Servt J J Reynolds Bt. Maj. Genl. U.S.A State of Texas 441 Head qrs. Dist of Texas Bureau R.F & A.L Austin, Texas, Feb. 12, 1868. Reinhard Fred. W. Sub Asst Commissioner Crockett, Texas. 389/463 Sir, In your report for the month of January you request that K Murchison, Justice of the Peace, beat No 1 of Houston County be removed from office. To accomplish this it will be necessary that you have the evidence against him and forward the same to this Headquarters to be by Genl Reynolds forwarded to Maj. Genl Hancock, who alone can remove civil officers and appoint others in their stead. I am, Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt J.P. Richardson 1st Lieut 26 Inf. A.A.A. Genl.
