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obviously necessary. Yet there is no account to show now on Mr Tukey's behalf. No settlement was made at the time and the Trustees disputed the bill rendered, now a large body of the Freedmen, the objects of his official care, charge that he cheated or attempted to cheat them under the guise of benevolence, and appear religiously to believe the same.

It may be perfectly true that the above charges were instigated or excited by Lieut. G.T. Cook and his friends owing to that officer being lately relieved, but the fact remains that they are made and are believed by probably a majority of the freedmen, and that Mr Tukey's conduct has been so destitute of either method or prudence that his best friend is without the means of persuading those who have formed this opinion that it is erroneous.

Mr Tukey desires to be retained in office that he may regain the good opinion of the freedmen, but under the circumstances the experiment is in my opinion hopeless and would injure the Bureau without benefitting him.

Capt. McDonnell's report about the condition of the office records is correct — and shows the same want of administrative ability as applies to the above specific transactions.

After a most careful and laborious examination I am not of the opinion that Mr Tukey Asst. Supt. for Augusta and Highland Counties has been guilty of fraud or dishonesty, but I am satisfied that his want of order and prudence has placed him in such an unfortunate position that

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