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528
Sloan, S. C. Capt. & S.A.C.

Endorsement on the letter of Capt. S. C. Sloan, S.A. Comr. dated Millican, Texas, Dec. 31. 1866. (S. 119.)

Hd. Qurs. Bu. R.F. &c,
State of Texas.
Galveston, Jan. 7. 1867.

Respectfully returned to Capt. S. C. Sloan, S.A. Comr. The action of Col. Simmons in this case is a matter with which we have nothing to do. When he gave bond for the proceeds of the cotton, he did so on his own account. With the order he had from you he should not have done so, but should have referred the case to you when the cotton was levied, you would then have sold the cotton yourself or otherwise disposed of the same as you might have thought proper, so as to secure the freedpeople their wages under the provisions of Circular No. 19.

Your authorizing Simmons & Smith to ship the cotton does not make it obligatory upon the Bureau to protect them from civil suits as they were not forced to ship and sell the cotton. They were only authorized to do so and when it was levied upon by the owner of the land for rent, instead of giving bond they should have declined doing so and left the matter for you to dispose of.

By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Kiddoo.
Wm H. Sinclair
Sub. Asst. Comr.


549
Horton, W H. S.A.C.

Endorsement on. the letter of Wm H. Horton, S.A.C. dated. Wharton, Texas. Jan. 1. 1867. (H. 117.)

Hd Qurs. B.R.F. &c.
State of Texas.
Galveston, Jan. 9. 1867.

Respectfully returned to W. H. Horton. S.A. Comr. with the information that he will pay the money over to the freedmen and the civil authorities can then proceed against him as against a white person. 
Hereafter attend to securing a good market for the freedmen's cotton &c. but let the buyer pay over the money. Do not handle it yourself unless in extreme cases.

By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Kiddoo.
Wm H. Sinclair
S.A. Comr.


550
Schaffer John M.

Endorsements on the letter of John M. Schaffer dated Sterling. Texas, Dec. 26. 1866. (S. 122.) which was endorsed Jan. 5. 1867. by Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. B. Kiddoo, Asst. Comr. as follows:-

"I have the disposal of no Negroes from any state as laborers. Your information is incorrect. Your proposition to Dr. Mintzer and myself is insolent. I respectfully refer this letter to Col. Sinclair for any information he may have with regard to its writer."

Which was returned Jan. 9. 1867 with the following endorsement by Wm H. Sinclair - Sub. Asst. Comr:-

"Respectfully returned to Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. B. Kiddoo Asst. Comr. From what I learned of Mr. Schaffer while on a tour of inspection in Robertson and Falls Counties, he is not a man I could recommend to have anything to do with freedpeople. I learned that during past Summer he traveled through the county representing himself as an agent of his Bureau, in administering justice. I did not learn that he tied up or otherwise abused any white people, but I do know of several instances in which he tied up freed people by the thumbs and tortured them in a most excruciating manner. A boy at Brigland's Hotel in Ownesville has marks to-day of the protection (?) freed people received from this man. I was told in Owensville that he paid his Hotel Bills at Brightland's when there by giving the "Niggers" a tying up "all round." Under the old system of cut and slash he would undoubtedly run a first class plantation, but from what I know of his treatment of freed people during the past summer he is the last man I should want to assist in getting freed people to work."

Hd Qurs. Bu. R.F.&A.L.
State of Texas,
Galveston, Jan. 10. 1867.

Respectfully returned inviting attention to endorsements hereon.

By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Kiddoo
(Sgd) J T Kirkman
1st Lt. 26." Inft. & A.A.A.G.

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