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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
Washington, Dec 26th 1865

Col. O. Brown
Ass't Com'r &c

Colonel;
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of Dec 21st enclosing a copy of an order which you propose to issue, regulating the subject of responsibility for the care of destitute freedmen.
In reply I am instructed by  Maj. Gen. Howard to say, that any citizen who attempts to turn out of doors the helpless and infirm, will be immediately reported by name, that his case may be laid before the President for his action. Provision will be made by the State or by the General Government to meet cases of extreme want; but until such provision shall (over)