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[[preprinted]] 116 [[preprinted]] 264 Bureau Refugees Freedmen &c. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner Raleigh, N.C. May 4" 1866. Phillips S. F. Esq. 258/ Dear Sir Your communication of 3" Inst. is received. I know of no reason why freedmen should be exempt from paying any taxes legally imposed. As good citizens it is their privilege to do their part in supporting the Government which protects their rights. I was not aware that any difficulty on this subject had arisen. Very Respectfully E. Whittlesey Asst. Comssr. See L. R. - P.50 [[line across page]] 265 Bureau Refugees Freedmen &c. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner Raleigh, N.C. May 7" 1866. Fullerton J.S. Genl. F. Bureau Wilmington, N.C. Genl. Howard authorized me to "sell or issue clothing to freedmen." I have given instructions to that effect to Mr. Glavis & others. [[Footnote 1]] E. Whittlesey Asst. Comssr. [[Footnote 1]] Sent by Telegraph. [[line across page]] 266 Bureau Refugees Freedmen &c. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner Raleigh, N.C. May 5" 1866. Seely Maj. F.A. A.Q.M. Supt. Eastern District 254/269 Major You will please direct Lieut. Coats Asst. Supt. at Washington D.C. to investigate the reported killing of a colored man by Mr. James Boyden on the farm of Capt. H. James in Pitt Co. & report all the facts in the case. Lieut. Coats will call on Col. D.E. Clapp at Pactolus & others for information. [[Footnote 1]] Very Respectfully E. Whittlesey Asst. Comssr. [[Footnote 1]] Written in N. Berne which causes it to be entered after May 7. [[line across page]] 267 Bureau Refugees Freedmen &c. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner Raleigh, N.C. May 7" 1866. Cilley Bvt. Col. Clinton A. Supt. West. Dist. 248/271 Col. I am directed by the Asst. Commissioner to inform you that he does not intend at present to remove Mr. Teal Agent at Greensboro, but desires that he continues on duty as heretofore. Very Respectfully Fred H. Beecher 2" Lieut. 3" U.S. Inf. and A.A.A. Genl. [[line across page]] [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 116 [[preprinted]] 268 Bureau Refugees Freedmen &c. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner Raleigh, N.C. May 7" 1866. Campbell Bvt. Brig. Genl. J.A. A.A. Genl. Dept. N.C. 263/273 General. In compliance with the order of Maj. Genl. Ruger Comdg. Dept. I have the honor to report that rents of house lots occupied by freedmen on the "Speight Place" now called Jamestown, viz. - 50 cents for each lot per month are collected in accordance with an order issued by Capt. H. James A.Q.M., July 15" 1865, after consultation with me. The reasons for the issue of the order were that the colony was outside the limits of New Bern, and therefore was under no municipal government. To keep the village in a cleanly condition, to guard the people against disturbance and crime, to provide a hospital for the indigent sick, to fit up buildings for schools and churches, were the duties incumbent on this Bureau. As many of the people were earning good wages in New Bern it was thought but just that they should help at least in paying the expenses of their own municipal government. The rents were paid cheerfully (the dependents being exempt), until very recently some mischief makers excited discontent among the people. In addition to these rents for house lots a tax was assessed on trades corresponding to the taxes in New Bern. This tax on examination I have judged too large, and have ordered its reduction, or entire removal, if that can be done, without attracting to the village all the Colored traders of New Bern. The land outside of the village is rented in small lots to those who are willing to cultivate it at the usual rental of one third of the crops raised. The largest tract leased to one person is four acres of cleared land with about 12 acres of uncleared. None is occupied "free of rent," except some small garden spots by a few of the poorest people. The disposition made of the funds accruing from these rents is as above intimated to defray the expenses of the settlement. I have examined carefully all the accounts, and find that the Colony has been nearly self-supporting. Aside from rations to the destitute and Medical Supplies, no expense has been incurred, which this special fund has not met. The salary of the Supt. and clerk, the pay of laborers, teamsters, guards and hospital attendants, and the cost of repairs on buildings, have all been paid from this fund, and there is now a balance in the Treasury of the Bureau to the credit of the colony of nearly three hundred dollars. There are however unsettled accounts which will absorb that amount. No definite propositions respecting this tract of land have ever been made by the owners to me or by me to the owners. I was requested to restore the entire property of the Evans heirs (minors) to their mother Mrs. Ann Eliza Evans. All except this one tract of land was promptly restored. But an order from Maj. Genl. Howard Commissioner dated (over)
