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[[preprinted]] 484 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] which he may deem useful or profitable. So long as he is faithful and honest, so long as he discharges his official duties with diligence and efficiency, he should be protected against curiosity that pries into his private affairs, and against calumny that stains his reputation and wounds his character. The following summary exhibits the most important statistics of the several reports herewith transmitted. Contracts witnessed 56 Freedmen employed by contract 562 Schools 121 Teachers 152 Scholars 10,606 Rations issued 72,207 Value of Rations issued $15,936.08 Clothing issued - value of $376.00 Hospitals 14 Sick in Hospitals and Quarters 1449 Orphans Apprenticed 165 Deaths in Hospitals and Quarters 75 Very Respectfully E. Whittlesey Bvt. Brig. Genl. and Asst. Commissioner [[Footnote 1]] Howard [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 485 [[/preprinted]] Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen &c. Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commissioner, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. June 25th 1866 Howard Maj. Genl. O.O. Comr. B.R.F. & A.L. General, I have the honor to report in connection with returns herewith forwarded for the month of May as follows. By virtue of orders from the War Dept. of date May 16", 1866, I assumed the duties of Asst. Commissioner of the Bureau of R.F. & A.L. for the State of North Carolina on the 22" day of May 1866 relieving Col. Whittlesey in that office. By virtue of Special Orders No.252 War Dept. A.G.O. I was relieved of such duties by Bvt. Maj. Genl. John C. Robinson on the 20" day of June 1866. The Convention of the State has recinded the proviso of the act passed by the Legislature, relating to the testimony of freedmen in the Courts. It also abolished the distinction before existing by the laws in the punishment for assault by a negro or colored man on a white woman with intent to commit a rape. As the case now stands the punishments are by the law, equal in all cases for whites and blacks; and the testimony of persons of color is admissable in all cases in which they are interested personally. The number of dependent freedmen has decreased since last report by 452. It is probable that the numbers dependent will continue to decrease until after the crops of corn and cotton are gathered when there will be some increase of dependents but not sufficient to make the number as large as during last Winter unless the crops should fail. There are on the whole fewer cases of violence towards the freedmen, than formerly, particularly of the serious kind. At Goldsboro, two freedmen were shot, one killed and one mortally wounded by the Police of the town or their assistants on the 4" of June 1866. The circumstances as at first reported by the officer of the Bureau at that place, indicated that the fault was by the freedmen. The further investigation of the matter was not fully completed at the time of my being relieved. The labor question may be regarded as practically settled for this State. The freedmen are at work. A fair administration of justice by the Civil Courts and a little time for the adjustment of hte new personal relations of the races will give confidence to all. The tendency is towards this condition. (over)
