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Atty Genl. Speed in his opinion of June 22d.

3d If the "life estate" only is confiscated the heirs at law will have a claim against the Govt. that they could maintain in any U.S. Court for damages for all wood and lumber removed more than is allowed in the old common laws.

My only excuse, General for calling your attention to this subject is the thought that, with your many cases, this view of the matter might not have occurred to you.

My own feelings are that this Bureau, in strict justice should be supported as far as possible from this rebellious land, but law and justice may not mean the same thing in this case.

I am, General
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
(Sgd) O. Brown
Col & Asst Com

Official
J.A. Bates
Brvt Lt Col & A.A.A.G.

(62)
July 16. 1865
Howard Maj Genl O.O. 
Commissioner &c

General
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Circular order No. 8. Bureau Refugees &c dated Washington June 20. 1865.

I have thought much upon the matter of distributing rations to the needy among the Freedmen, of its necessity and of the evils incident to it. I was about to submit the substance of the accompanying plan, when Circular No 8. was received.

Whatever may be said to the contrary, in a very large number of cases, (will not say the majority) I have

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found it much more difficult to make these people depend upon themselves, after they have once been dependent upon the Government, hence I believe that to the people as well as to the Government requires great care in the gratuitous distribution of food among them.

While I would care, to the utmost extent, for the helpless. I would allow others to feel the spur of necessity, if it be needed to make them self reliant, industrious and provident.

It will be exceedingly difficult to send rations to points from twenty to one hundred miles distant from the place of issue every seven (7) days and during the winter nearly impossible. 

I have made enquiries as to the expense of feeding from soup houses, and found that the cost of providing all the food required by a hearty adult (Soup & bread) will not exceed one third of the cost of the rations allowed by the War Department. 

Another argument in favor of this plan is it costs the recipient more trouble and is not as fashionable as drawing rations. Persons able to work would use much greater exertion to find employment, if they were obliged to procure their food in this manner than if allowed to draw the regular rations for seven days. 

But few of those dependent upon the Gov't for rations are good Cooks. The soup and bread would be much better article of diet for them than badly cooked food. I would of course, in the cases of all aged, helpless and infirm persons have proper food sent to their homes if necessary. I do not know as the place proposed 

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