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940 Richmond Va Oct 28th 1865

Wilder Captain C.B.
A.Q.M. &c
Captain
Pursuant to a request from Bureau Head Qrs. the Asst Comr directs that you furnish informati[[illegible]] as soon as possible touching the status of the Chesapeake Seminary Property situated near Hampton Va. one part said to be owned by loyal citizens represented by Genl. B.F. Butler U.S.V. and the other part by Rebels. Please give the names of the proprietors, the number or shares or proportion owned by each.
I am Captain
Very Respectfully
Sig James A. Bates
Capt. & A.A.A.G.

Official
Garrick Mallery
A.A.A.G.

941 Richmond Va Oct 29th 1865

Barnes Captain Stuart
A.Q.M. Supt &c
Captain
It is rumored that the Freedmen in Mecklenburg Count are not working or making contracts to work for the coming season. You will enquire into this matter at once. and if not other remedy exists, you will vigorously enforce instructions already sent to you in regard to vagrants It is further stated that in many parts of your District the Freedmen still entertain the belief that lands will be given them by the Govt You will take special care that the Circular of Sept 19th relating to this subject is circulated and explained to them.
Respectfully your obt servt
Sigd O Brown
Col. Asst. Comr.

Official
Garrick Mallery
A.A.A.G.

942 Richmond Va Oct 29th 1865.

Woodhull Colonel Max
A.A.G.
Colonel.
In reply to your communication of the 25th inst I have the honor to state that upon its receipt I immediately sent Lt. Col H.B. Scott Inspt. Genl. of the Bureau for this state to Norfolk with instructions to thoroughly investigate the affairs of Asst Supt Charles E. Johnson at to give particular attention to the matters alluded to in your communication the accompanying report of Col. School will show the result of his investigation
Please inform me if it is satisfactory.
I had not given any instruction in regard to the length of

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time for which property should be leased previous to the receipt of your letter believing that the Bureau could only convey the interests of the Government and that whenever such interest ceased. the lease could be annulled without reference to the length of time for which it was made. if such action was desirable.
On the receipt of your letter. I immediately issued instruction that all leases of houses here after made would terminate after a notice of ten days from the Bureau
I most earnestly ask for some instructions on this point as if all the property is to be restored, it will not pay for the trouble of leasing. unless the tenants can have security that they can hold possession for some specific period
I am Colonel
Very respectfully
Your obt. servant
Sigd O. Brown
Col. Asst. Comr.

Official
Garrick Mallery
A.A.A.G.

943 Telegram Richmond Va Oct 31st 1865.

Flagg Captain A.S.
A.Q.M. Supt &c
Norfolk Va
Keep the mill on the Eastern Shore still on the market
O. Brown
Col. Asst. Comr.

Official
Garrick Mallery
A.A.A.G.

944 Richmond Va. Oct 31. 1865.

Felt Bvt Maj
Chief C.S. Bu. R.F. and A L.
Major
Complaints have been made to these HQ. that the Col'd people at Norfolk and Portsmouth are furnished with but two Crackers per day, and less than a pint of poor soup made out of salt pork the Asst Comr therefor directs that you give this your immediate attention. The soup ration is intended for those who are not totally dependent on the Govt for support and not for persons who require different food. other rations of a more substantive nature must be issued to them
It has also been reported that the man in charge of the soup house is in the habit of leaving it for the purpose of attending to his own private business. This you will put a stop to at once. You will report your action under these instructions -

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