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20   21

General Orders, 
No. 2
July 10th 1865

I  The following Circular from the War Dept. is published for the information of all concerned:

War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen & Abandoned Lands. 
Washington, 30th May, 1865.

Circular 
No. 5

Rules and Regulations for Asst. Commissioners.

VII.  In all places where there is an interruption of civil law, or in which local courts, by reason of old codes, in violation of the freedom guaranteed by the Proclamation of the President and the laws of Congress, disregard the negro's right to justice before the laws, in not allowing him to give testimony, the control of all subjects relating to Refugees and Freedmen being committed to this Bureau, the Assistant Commissioner will adjudicate, either themselves or through officers of their appointment, all difficulties arising between negroes themselves, or between negroes and whites or Indians, except those in military service, so far as recognizable by the military authority, and not taken cognizance of by the other tribunals, civil or military of the United States.

[[left margin]] write under this order - similar [[strikethrough]] instructions were sent to [[/strikethrough]] Orders were issued for other localities where courts were needed [[/left margin]]

O. O. Howard, Major General
Commissioner Bureau R.F. & A.L.

Approved June 2nd 1865.
Andrew Johnson,
President of the United States.

II.  Capt. Moses Stevens, 13th N.Y. H. Artillery, having reported for duty in this Bureau, is hereby appointed to take cognizance of all cases arising under the above order within the Sub-District of Norfolk.
He will adjudicate all cases in which the penalty does not exceed a fine of one hundred dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for thirty (30) days. All other cases will be referred by him to a commission appointed by the military commandant of the Sub-District.
He will forward to these Head Quarters weekly reports of his proceedings under this order, and pay over to the Superintendent of Freedmen of the District, all fines collected, taking therefor duplicate receipts, one copy of which will be forwarded to these headquarters.

O. Brown,
Col. & Asst. Com'r.

Head Quarters Dep't. of Va. 
Richmond, July 11th 1865

Approved: 
Alfred H. Terry
Maj. General Comd'g.

Transcription Notes:
VIII. Commissioner [[?]] adjudicator word in question is unidentifiable 2/9/2024 - Above question reviewed and amended to "Commissioners will adjudicate..." ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-11 15:19:25 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-12 17:43:16