Viewing page 110 of 346

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

The Freedman's Bureau Act of March 3d 1865 creates the Bureau which shall have "control of all subjects relating to Refugees and Freedmen from rebel States, "&c" under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the head of the Bureau and approved by the President."

Under this clause, "rules and Regulations " may have been adopted, whereby the officers of the Bureau might make arrests of citizens and imprison them indefinitely, without charging them with any crime, or making known the cause for which they were arrested. But I presume no such rules have been adopted, or orders issued to such effect.

Under the Civil Rights Act of Apr. 9th the Circuit Courts can appoint Commissioners from time to time, and increase their number, "so as to afford a speedy and convenient means for the arrest and examination of persons charged with a violation of this Act."

And in Section 5, Marshals & Depty Marshals of the United States are charged to execute warrants of arrest issued by the commissioners; and the better to enable the commissioners to discharge their duties, in "conformity with the Constitution of the U.S. and the requirements of this Act," they are hereby authorized