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58 (182) Richmond, Va, July 19th 1865 James Col W. L. Chief Q.M. Dept of Va. Col I have the honor to request that Capt P. D. Wheeler, A.Q.M. be assigned to duty in this Bureau. I am, Col, Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. (Sgd) O. Brown. Col & Asst Comr Official J. A. Bates A.A.A.G. (183) Richmond, Va, July 19th 1865 Smith Col Edw. W. Asst. Adjt. Genl. Col, I have the honor to respectfully request that one (1) company of the 24th Regt U.S. Col'd Troops — be ordered to report to me for duty. — Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt (Sgd) O. Brown, Col. Asst. Com'r. Official J. A. Bates A.A.A.G. (184) Richmond, Va. July 20/65. — Howard O. O. Majr Genl Commissioner B.R.F. & A.L. General, I desire to call your attention to the subject of the church property of the colored membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. You are doubtless aware that the Church edifices and parsonages are held by trustees appointed by the Quarterly Conferences. All the churches of the Freedmen in this denomination (although almost exclusively built by the contributions of the colored population,) are held by these white trustees — the membership having no voice, under their form of Church government, in the ministers that are appointed over them; the appointment being wholly in the hands of the Bishop. It is very important the ministers appointed over these people should be loyal and friendly to progress among the Freedmen, — The "Methodist Episcopal Church" of the north and the "African Methodist Church," are both ready and seeking to incorporate these colored Methodist Churches into their organizations, and supply them with suitable 59 pastors. — And on the other hand, these churches naturally and gladly seek such alliances, if they can get possession of their church property. — The Southern Methodist Conference has been notoriously disloyal, The individual trustees have been disloyal. — Now I beg leave to inquire why they have not forfeited their claim to this property, and why it should not be confiscated and turned over to the Bureau. The Bureau could then return it to the colored trustees of the churches to whom it justly belongs. — I am, Very Respectly Your Obt. Servt. (Sgd) O. Brown Col & Asst. Com'r. &c Official J. A. Bates A.A.A.G. (185) Richmond, Va. July 20/65. Barnes Capt Stuart, A.Q.M. Supt R.F. & A.L. Captain I am directed to call your attention to the state of affairs in your Dist, especially in the town of "Farmville" — It has been reported by the Inspector that many cases of abuse have occurred, You will, at your earliest convenience, examine into these matters, and see that they are immediately corrected. Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. By order of Col O. Brown (Sgd) P. S, Evans, A.A.A.G. Official J. A. Bates A.A.A.G. (186) Richmond, Va. July 20/65. Barnes Capt Stuart, A.Q.M. Supt R.F. & A.L. Captain I am directed by Col Brown to request you to report the precise terms of the contract you propose to make for cleaning the streets of Petersburg. — He desires that no more negroes be sent to another state without authority from these Head Quarters. — He further wishes me to convey to you an expression of his gratification at the promptness of your returns. — Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt. By order of Col Brown. (Sgd) P. S. Evans, A.A.A.G. Official J. A. Bates A.A.A.G.
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Reopened for Editing 2023-11-02 22:02:46
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Reopened for Editing 2023-11-03 16:15:48