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M25
Original furnished the printer Sept 1st 1867.
Issued Septem 18th 1867.

[[Left Margin]] Bu R.F. A.L
Galveston [[/Left Margin]]

Headquarters,
Sub-Assistant Commissioner,
2d Sub-Dist., Bu. R., F. & A. L.,
Liberty, Liberty Co., Texas,
General Orders No. 4.  Sept. 15, 1867.
 
I. In all cases unpaid wages will be regarded as an equitable lien on the crop or other products of the labor of the Freedmen, and will be the first claim paid. In such cases the whole crop will be regarded as liable for wages unpaid at the end of the year, or expiration of the contract, and may be attached and held for the same, in whomsoever hands it may have fallen, regardless of sales, consignments, rents for lands, or any claims, whatsoever.

II. Accounts against Freedmen will not be allowed to constitute a lien on their portion of the crop. They must receive the productions of their labor according to the just wording of the contracts,  and be permitted to sell the same in market to the best advantage.

III. The division of the crop when made on shares, shall take place in presence of all the contracting parties.

Previous to the removal of any portion of the crop from the plantation, "the party of the first part" to the contract shall file at these head quarters, a statement in writing, giving the amount of cotton, corn, potatoes, &c., &c., raised on the plantation with Freedmen's labor in the year 1867. 

Parties failing to make the above statement will be arrested and fined.

A false statement will be considered as perjury. Any party so offending will be arrested and reported to the Assistant Commissioner for trial by a military commission.

Any person or persons discharging their Freedmen, whose contracts are still in force, will be arrested and fined.

By order of A.H. MAYER,
Sub-Ass't Com'r 2d Sub-Dist.,
Bu. R., F. & A. L., State of Texas.