Viewing page 53 of 243

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

2.

After I become more familiar with the workings of the two institutions I will submit a more detailed report upon the Government Farms and Arlington on the Freedmen's Village.

I shall next Sunday briefly address a meeting of the colored people of Alexandria to inform them of the establishment of this Bureau.

The Sub. Dist. of Fairfax is not so well adapted to agriculture as are the neighboring counties, but there is nevertheless a demand for labor all over it. Within this sub-district there are more abandoned and confiscated lands than in any other of the same size in the State. There are two or three of Capt. Brown's Gov't Farms cultivated in the county. As all parts of the county are accessible from my office I shall be able to establish the Bureau in it sooner than in any other sub-district. I have already, under authority of Circular no. 3. Hed.Sn. of Bureau, May 22 '65, registered Major-Gnl Augur Bondg Dept of Washington to order an officer and a foreman carefully selected by me from my regiment to report to me for duty in this Sub District and I hope to have the office of the Sub Dist opened here early next week.

That done my instructions to the Asst Supt will be to prepare with the best possible delay a report of the conditions of the