Viewing page 104 of 299
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
200 Howard Major General O.O. (105 1st Vol) April 9th Commissioner General I noticed in the "Washington Chronicle" a few days since extracts from a letter of Hon Joseph Segar to the Commissioner in reference to the action of the Legislation of Virginia in relation to the Freedmen. I inferred from these extracts that the object of Mr. Segar's letter was to prove that the Legislation of Virginia had passed such laws as would secure to and protect the Freedmen of Virginia in their Civil Rights. It is True that the Legislature of Virginia passed laws giving the Freedmen most of the civil rights that are secured to white persons. If these laws were executed by men as honest in their intentions towards the Freedmen as Mr. Segar, then the freedmen would have of but little to complain but to show that this is not the case and that either be cause of inability or disinclination these laws are not executed. I beg leave to submit the accompanying report of Genl. Armstrong and Lieut Reed the former Supt of the Dist and the latter of the County in which Mr. Segar resides. I would respectfully enquire whether under the circumstances the Bureau should not again take jurisdiction of criminal cases in the 9th District. I am General Very respectfully your obedient servant (Sigd) O Brown Col and Asst. Commr. Official James A. Bates A.A.A.G. Maj Genl O.O. (106 1st Vol) April 10th Commissioner General I have the honor to report that Rev Mr. Stockwell Pastor of a colored church in this City has made such arrangements as will enable him to provide large numbers of freedmen with homes in the North 201 I have offered to furnish transportation for women with families of children without a father, for orphans and for such persons living on the farms or in crowded localities on the Peninsula, as it is desirable to remove, and for all dependent upon the Government. As there are enough of these classes that can be found with a little labor to supply the demand I have refused to furnish transportation to able-bodied healthy young persons that can if they well, find employment here. Mr. Stockwell informs me that it is your wish that transportation should be furnished to "all who wish to go," believing that he has misunderstood you in relation to this matter, I would respectfully enquire whether the Commissioner wishes transportation furnished for all, or shall it be limited as suggested by the Asst Comr. - I am General Very respectfuuly Your obedient Servant (Sigd) O Brown Col and Asst. Comr Official James A. Bates A.A.A.Genl Major Gen'l O.O. (107 1st Vol.) April 12th Commissioner General I have the honor to report that the condition of affairs at Warrenton Va. have been investigated by Lt. Col. Mallery, Inspector - at present on a tour in that locality. - A copy of letter from him is forwarded herewith I deem it advisable under all circumstances to delay action in this matter a time, in order to give the Civil Authorities an opportunity to act, especially as with but little evidence the Bureau would gain nothing and lose much by a failure to establish the guilt of the parties. If however I find that after allowing ample opportunity to the civil authorities to bring the guilty
