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Bureau of R F and A L. Head Qurs Asst Comr State of Va. Richmond Va. Feb 25th 66. Respectfully forwarded to Maj Grnl Howard to know whether the Asst Commissioner regards the last paragraph of this order aright. It is held by the Asst Commissioner that the officers of the Bureau should not interfere in the matter of contracts except to urge upon the Freedmen the necessity of making them, and fulfilling them when made, to examine and approve them when desired to advise the freedmen when they are liable to be injurious to them, and to annul each as are injurious and unjust. That may have been entered into through their ignorance. To deny the Freedmen the right to make a valid contract without the approval of the Bureau is practically making him a slave to the Bureau, and is preventing him from learning the important lesson of taking care of himself, by fostering that feeling of dependence of which he already has too much. 1.V.201 O Brown Col and Asst Commr. W.D.E Bu. R.F. and A.L. Washington Feb 28th Respectfully returned. The views of the Asst Comm are concurred in. By orders of Maj. Genl V.O. Howard Max Woodhull Asst Adj Genl [[stamp]] STATE OF VIRGINIA BUREAU OF R.F. and A.L. RECD. [?] Mar 1 1866 [[/stamp]]