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FREEDMANS ASSOCIATION FOR THE RESTORATION OF LOST FRIENDS. 

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 1, 1867. 

This Association has been formed in consideration of the facts, and for the purposes hereinafter expressed, and has adopted, and is pursuing measures to render its efforts acceptable and effective. 
1st. Prior to the war, and during the existence of slavery, thousands of families in the slave holding States, were separated and scattered by the system of slave trading. In most instances no opportunity was afforded to communicate to friends the ultimate disposition or place of residence of parties thus disposed of. 
2d. During the same period, thousands of slaves escaped and sought refuge in the Northern States or Canada, and as their security depended on secrecy, they have never informed their friends and relatives of the location of their new homes, or even of their existence. 
3d. During the war, the march of armies, the breaking up of plantations, and the voluntary flight of men and women there held as slaves, have also separated thousands who would gladly gain information of their friends and relatives, and if possible be reunited with them. 
Individual efforts to obtain such information by freedmen, who in many instances may not be able to read or write, would be attended with an outlay of time and expense, and necessarily so limited as to render success improbable in a majority of cases. 
To reduce the expense, systemize the efforts, and enlarge the field of inquiry, an Association has been organized, and a systematic plan adopted, by which information of missing relatives and friends can be obtained. 
The city of Washington, D. C., has been selected as the head quarters of the Association, because of its central location, and of the facilities afforded through the various Departmental sources of obtaining the desired information. 
The plan adopted is briefly, as follows: 
1st. Books have been opened in which, when completed, names of freedmen from all parts of the United States and the Canadas will appear alphabetically arranged, under the head of the States in which they reside. 
2d. In connection with the names registered in these books, a brief history of the individual will be kept, showing the present and former residence, former owner, and such other main facts as will lead to identification. 
3d. When names of persons do not appear on our books, and friends desire to learn their present residence, we will seek them out, through such channels as the Freedmans Bureau, the Union Leagues, the Churches, the Colored Schools, our own auxilliary associations, and by publishing and widely circulating lists of names of such missing persons 
4th. We are prepared to transact all ordinary matters of business in the Government offices for freedmen, when desired, although this is merely indicental to the main object of the Association. 
It will be obvious that a work of such magnitude cannot be carried into complete operation without incurring expense. 
A system of fees is therefore adopted to meet this in part, but at rates so low that no one need be deterred from availing himself of the benefits of the Association. 
Ordinary letters of inquiry, not requiring expense on the part of the Association, will be answered on the receipt of stamps to pay postage. 
It is earnestly urged upon all freedmen and woman in the States and Canadas to register their names with brief statements of facts pertaining to their history. If no advantage to the individual is at first suggested to the mind, it should be remembered that others may be seeking information about them.