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26 Very respectfully & c By command of Col O Brown (Sgd) Charles H Coxe Capt & A.A.A.G. Official James A. Bates A.A.A.Genl (430) Richmond Aug 26th 1865 Superintendent 5th District Sir I herewith send Circular No 1 from the Land Department which you will cause to be posted in the Post Office and other public places in the Courier within tour District, in which the land set apart is treated. You will also post a copy of the Circular, on each piece of property named therein, you will without necessary delay, take possession of these lands in the name of the Bureau, and as soon as possible, report to the Head Qrs all such lands as are now occupied with the name of the occupant and under what authority he claims possession and what rent he is paying. Notify such occupants that they will also report the number of acres of arable land in each [[crossed out]] in each [[/crossed out]] farm, the number of acres of woodland the character of the soil and timber and the character and condition of the Buildings you will also ascertain the Smallest number of acres of arable land on each farm that will yield a support to an average family of five (5) persons of Freedmen. If farms are treated in a neighborhood where employment for freedmen can be found, you will note this fact, Stating the nature of the employment and the ordinary rate of compensation therefor, It will be necessary to select farms as best adapted to the purpose as homes for the aged and helpless within your District. Such farms to be conducted on the same plan as the "Poor Farms" of the North (Similar letter Sent to Supts of 1st & 9th Dists) Very respectfully &c By Command of Col. O Brown Charles H Coxe A.A.A.G. Official James A. Bates A.A.A. Genl (431) Richmond August 26th /65 Flagg Capt: A.S. A Q.M. Supt 1st Dist R.F. & A.L. Captain are you cognizant of the fact that Lt S. H. Keatley Asst Supt in your District, forwarded his cash account and list of houses &c in his possession to the Hd Qrs of the Bureau in Washington, It is directed that in future such reports be made to the proper authority. By command of Col. O. Brown (Sgd) Charles H. Coxe A.A.A.G. Official James A Bates A. A. A. Genl 127 (432) Richmond Va Aug 29th /65 Hilder Capt. C. . A. Q. M. Supt Freedmens Bureau Captain I inferred form conversation with you when in Richmond, that you thought the plan proposed for working the saw mill was not as profitable as might be adopted, please investigate this matter and report at your earliest convenience Yours Respectfully (Sgd) O. Brown Col and Asst Comr Official James A Bates A.A.A. Genl (433) Richmond Aug 29th 1865 Supt 1st District Sts of Va Sir i have the honor to enclose 10 Blank Forms for Land Reports and 8 Blank Forms for Report of Ref and Freedmen in colonies, camps &c to whom rations have been issued- Col Brown desires the land Report for August sent in by the 5th of Sept, the other reports as soon as possible, he also Suggests that you be careful in the use of the Farms as we have but few- If these are not sufficient you had better interline- mal report of Houses, Separate from the Lands, each county complete by itself in both Reports. (acknowledge Receipts) By Command of Col O Brown Charles H. Coxe A.A.A. Genl (Similar letter sent to all Dist Supts) Official James A. Bates A.A.A. Genl (434) Richmond Va Aug 29th 1865 Barnes Capt. Stuart A.Q.M. Supt &c Sir The Surgeons and other officers and men at Point of Rocks are under your orders, They will also be included in your monthly report of officers and men. Permission is given you to visit Richmond as requested Very respectfully &c By Command of Col O Brown (Sgd) Charles H. Coxe A,A,A, G Oficial James A Bates A,A,A,Genl. (435) Richmond Aug 29th 1865 Wilder Capt. C.B. A.Q.M. Supt Freedmens Bureau Captain I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Communication of the 26th inst- in reply I can only "guess" that the abandoned lands will not be set apart. The list of confiscated lands was obtained from the Books of the District (over)