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K19

War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, September 19" 186 .

General. 

In the organization and conduct of Bureau Courts should you have any or have occasion under the law to reestablish them you will be guided by the following instructions.

I. Bureau Courts shall be composed of three members, one of whom shall be an officer or agent of this Bureau, and one selected by each of the parties interested. Should one or both of the parties interested refuse to choose a member of the Court, the Asst. Commissioner shall himself make such selection.

II.  Bureau Courts shall have jurisdiction of all cases relating to compensation for labor of refugees or freedmen, and may hear and determine all other civil cases between refugees, freedmen and others, not involving more than the sum of $300.  they may also try offences committed by or against freedmen, provided the punishment imposed shall not exceed a fine of $100. or imprisonment at hard labor for thirty days. The judgement of these Courts may be enforced by the military authority and shall not be obstructed by stay laws. of any State. The agent of the Bureau serving on a Bureau Court shall keep a concise record of all cases adjudicated by the Courts, including 

Transcription Notes:
Stay Law · The Stay Law is a piece of legislation that gives debtors extra time to pay their creditors before their property is seized for payment.