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NARA 593

S# 72. F.B. L.M. Vol 2. 1867.
Brooksville Miss
Oct 25th 1867

Lee Stephen D.

Makes a statement in the case of Nelson, freedman, who was discharged with loss of pay because he, contrary to orders, left the plantation to attend a political meeting.

Wrapper, One Enclosure

[[stamp]] 
Freedman's Bureau State of Miss 
OCT 30 1867 
Received 
[[/stamp]]

Office Bureau RF & AL
Sub District of Macon
Macon Miss Oct 28'/67

Respectfully forwarded to Capt J.W. Sunderland A.A.A.C. for information whether the provisions of Genl Orders No. 31. govern in this and similar cases.

Many complaints are made daily by freedmen who have been driven off because of their attending political meetings. The freedmen go to these meetings, through ignorance, connecting them with registration & voting.
No laborer in my opinion should be deprived of the fruits of his labor; the terms of his contract to the contrary notwithstanding.

Geo. S. Smith
Capt VRC Bt. Major
Sub Ass't Com'r

E&M page 190/1
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen &c
Office Asst Commr. for Miss.
Vicksburg Oct 30"1867

Respectfully returned to Bvt. Maj. Geo. S. Smith, Sub Asst. Commr. Macon Miss. The provisions of General Orders No. 19 Hd Qrs. 4" Milty Dist. and republished in General Orders No. 31 C.S. from this office refer to cases of laborers discharged "without legal cause" and "upon frivolous pretexts," and do not apply to cases of discharge for a breach of a fair contract. The discharge of a laborer with forfeiture of pay for services already rendered is sustained by the judicial tribunals of

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