War Department, Bureau of R. F. and A. Lands
Washington, August 17, 1866.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War:
Sir: In view of the fact that charges are constantly made by a large number of prominent citizens in the South and elsewhere that persons are fed by the bureau in idleness, and in consideration of the statements made by the Inspectors, Generals Steedman and Fullerton, implying that the people who labor for support are rendered idle by the promise, or hope, of rations from the Government; and further, considering that the crops are suffciently matured already to prevent actual starvation, I recommend that, on and after the first day of September next, the issue of rations be stopped, except to the sick in regularly organized hespitals, and to the orphan asylums for refugees and freedmen already existing, and that the State officials, who may be responsible for the poor, be carefully notified of this order, so that they may assume the charge of such indigent refugees and freedmen as may not be embraced in the above exceptions.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
O. O. HOWARD, Major-General, Commissioner.
Approved, to take effect 1st October, August 28, 1866.
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
Official: JAMES ELDRIDGE, A. A. A. General.
