I herewith append the report of Surgeon Mintzer. I have thought it proper to retain a bureau hospital at Houston, though by existing orders from your headquarters, and authority from the late provisional governor of the State, I could compel the civil authorities in all the counties to take care of their own sick and indigent. The chief justices of the respective counties display great reluctance in taking charge of homeless, houseless negroes who need care, and in such cases their only resort is the bureau. For this reason, though I could get the Houston hospital off my hands, I deem it advisable to keep it, both as an asylum and hospital. The physicians of the State manifest a commendable willingness to give medical attendance to the freedmen, and in all contracts that I have seen there is some promise made for medical attention for the negroes. The medical department of the bureau has given me but little trouble.. HEADQUARTERS BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED Lands, State of Texas, Office Surgeon in Chief, Galveston, Texas, October 31, 1866. GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the medical department under my charge since the organization of the bureau in this State, October, 1865. On arrival at Galveston I found the freedmen employed at good wages, and a disposition to assist one another. The efforts of self-reliance were encouraged by attending the sick of dependent families at their houses. As the civil authorities had made no hospital provision for sick freedmen, arrangements were effected, by the approval of the assistant commissioner, General Gregory, with Dr. G. Dowell, surgeon in charge of the city hospital, to admit sick freedmen on our order-the government to furnish rations and medicines. This contract continued until the 28th of February last, when arrangements were effected with the city and county authorities to carry out the vagrant laws of this State, without distinction of color, this being in obedience to circular letter, dated Washington, October 4, 1865. Prior to the first of the year the disposition of a great many of the planters was to turn over to the bureau all their aged, crippled, and worn-out late slaves, as most of the young and vigorous hands, desiring change, had left, or were leaving. This they felt to be sufficient provocation to rid themselves of all nonproducers. If this disposition had been encouraged it would have dotted the State with freedmen's hospitals, and five hundred beds at Houston would to-day be no more than suflicient to accommodate the demand. The result of this would have been a systematized pauperism imposed on the government, which, sooner or later, would have had to be met with taxation on the respective counties of the State. General Gregory realized the importance of positive action, and met the issue personally and, through the agents of the bureau, promptly with the planters. Sanitary and other inspections were instituted to overcome this temporary unfavorable disposition. The general travelled through the most densely populated portions of the State, addressing the freedmen and planters at all convenient points, presenting conclusive arguments of their duties, rights, and mutual interests. I accompanied him, and, besides, made an inspection of over two hundred plantations in one month. In the mean time I drew sufficient medical supplies to equip one hundred beds to hold in reserve to meet contingencies. I was compelled to establish a hospital of thirty beds at Houston, which was regarded more as a temporary home. Our object has been to prevent the necessity of establishing hospitals, and, at the same time, prevent suffering, by encouraging the planter to care for the sick and worn-out material, many of whom have rendered a lifetime service, and are entitled to consideration. The freedmen have shown a favorable disposition, and, in most cases, have agreed to pay the planter for the rations consumed by their aged and sick relatives and friends. In March last, by the direction of the assistant commissioner, I conferred with and officially addressed J. S. Roberts, chief justice of Harris county, in relation to the civil authorities providing for the sick freedmen at Houston. I regret to say that our efforts were not met with the same consideration as they were presented. From the misrepresentation and prejudice evinced, General Gregory was forced to conclude that the then present incumbents of office were unfit to be custodians of sick freedmen. Therefore the subject was not revived until the letter of J. S. Roberts, chief justice of Harris county, was referred by you to the provisional governor, A. J. Hamilton, and which is embodied in Circular No. 16 of these headquarters, and which reads as follows: [Circular No. 16.] HEADQUARTERS BUREAU OF Refugees, FREEDMEN Galveston, June 18, 1866. The following extract from circular order, dated War Department, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Washington, D. C., October 4, 1865, and letter received from his excellency Provisional Governor A. J. Hamilton, are published for the future guidance of sub-assistant commissioners: * * * * The principle to be adhered to with regard to paupers is, that each county, parish, township, or city, shall care for and provide for its own poor. GALVESTON, TEXAS, June 4, 1866. GENERAL: The letter of J. S. Roberts, chief justice of Harris county, with the indorsement thereon, upon the subject of the counties taking care of the paupers within their respective limits, and which you say was forwarded to me before I left Austin, * I avail myself of this opportunity to state my views briefly up on the subject of inquiry. The subject, I suppose, relates only to indigent freed men, women, and children. By the laws of the United States these people are citizens, and by the action of the late convention of this State they are vested with all civil and personal rights, except a limitation upon the right to testify in the courts of the country. The convention also taxed them as all other citizens. That they are as fully entitled as others to the benefits of the law of the State for the relief of the poor and suffering is too clear to require argument. The proposition that a black man is to be taxed to create a county fund for the relief of unfortunate whites, and which he is not to share when under similar misfortune, is as false in law as it is reprehensible in morals. The fact that a county court has failed to levy a sufficient tax to meet the emergency is no reason for refusing to discharge the duty imposed by law. The county can levy the maximum allowed by law, and if this should not be sufficient, the fault will not rest with them. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major General J. B. KIDDOO. A. J. HAMILTON, Provisional Governor of Texas. In accordance with the above extract of order from the War Department and letter from Provisional Governor Hamilton, sub-assistant commissioners will immediately transfer the care of all paupers and indigent freedmen to the chief stices of the respective counties. J. B. KIDDOO, Brevet Major General, Ass't Com'r. By your direction, last month I had an interview with the present chief justice of Harris county, Mr. Brashier, and the mayor of Houston, in relation to turning over the freedmen patients in hospital. Both these gentlemen have met the subject fairly, and are holding the question in consideration and before the courts; we are now awaiting the result of their action. I have every reason to believe that satisfactory arrangements will be effected, and by the 1st of December there will be no patients at the expense of the government in the State. The importance of proper sanitary inspections cannot well be over-estimated, in conferring practical benefit to the freedmen and to the planters; suggestions on food, quality, and preparation; the importance of cistern water in this climate; cleanliness of person and quarters; the best mode of constructing quarters, and choice of location to secure health, and see if the provisions of the contract securing medical attendance is properly carried out. The day of over-crowding negroes in cabins without windows, and frequently without floors, and offering but little protection against the weather, will rapidly pass away. Free labor will seek, all things being equal, the best offers for home comforts, and such surroundings as will secure health and contentment. The planter can see dollars and cents in reducing his sick-list from fifteen and twenty per cent. down to three and five per cent., by carrying out the practical instructions of the sanitary inspector. The greatest sanitary evils that exist, and have to be combatted, are from false notions of economy. The medical department of the bureau here cannot be better employed, in thus removing the causes, rather than treating the effects of disease; while, especially while self-interest is so active, and labor in demand, much reform can be suggested that will secure to the freedmen physical and social blessings, the basic principles to build upon. The climate of Texas is mild, the soil fertile, requiring but little labor to supply bodily wants. Under proper recognition of good laws, there will be little excuse for suffering or pauperism. I respectfully submit and append the consolidated report of sick and wounded freedmen treated and died in hospitals since the organization of the bureau in this State. No refugees have received medical treatment in the hospitals. There was a large number of freedmen vaccinated in the towns, and some on the plantations. As the result could not be well ascertained, they are not officially reported. The reason for the large percentage of deaths may be attributed to the fact that none but homeless and severe cases were sent to the hospital, while the light cases were attended to at their houses. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. J. W. MINTZER, Surgeon United States Volunteers, Chief Surgeon Brevet Major General J. B. KIDDOO, Assistant Commissioner, State of Texas. Consolidated report of sick und wounded freedmen treated, and died in hospitals, since the organization of the bureau in this State, October 1, 1865, to October 31, 1866. (No refugees treated.) In conclusion, I will beg leave to make a few remarks of a general character. Good feeling toward the freedmen is on the increase in this State, most decidedly, and outrages are largely on the decrease. Since my report of the 8th of August, which was at the time substantially correct, I consider it just to the better people of Texas to state that the outrages spoken of therein are usually committed by a class of individuals who never were slave owners, but were the negroe's competitor in labor, and hence his enemy, and now particularly so, since the. negro is free and approximates towards equality with them. It is the lower class of people that have the most bitter and vulgar hatred of the negro. The more intelligent and liberal people consider the negro set free by the arbitrament of arms, and hence have no personal animosity towards him; while the other class hold him personally responsible, and treat him accordingly. I have also to report, in this connection, that there is a manifest disposition on the part of the freedmen to protect themselves, either by personal combat or immediate resort to an agent of the bureau. Those planters who feel kindly towards the negro, and accept his freedom as one of the results of the war, over which he had no immediate control, report to me that they work as well, and better than could have been expected; that they work cheerfully; that they observe the new and anomalous relation under which they have been placed towards their former masters with a commendable propriety; that their good behavior is beyond all expectations; that they have not been carried away by exaggerated and impracticable ideas of their freedom, and that they would not re-enslave them if it were in their power. This latter I believe to be the unanimous sentiment of the State. No one wishes the negro re-enslaved, and all rejoice at his freedom, but take some exceptions at the manner in which it was brought about. There is a sublime moral connected with this acknowledgment, and an argument so patent as to forever seal the justice of that series of providential events that brought about his freedom. There is another class who appear to have become dyspeptic over the loss of It can slaves, and insist that they do not work; that they are indolent and insolent; that they are "constitutional thieves and liars ;" that such propensities can be restrained in a state of slavery, but not in freedom; and that the whole race will become extinct in a state of freedom, and their blood will be on the hands of their liberators. It is my firm belief that free labor, among the former slaves of the southern States, will eventually be a success. not be otherwise, else the wheels of civilization have been reversed. One or two years are by no means a proper test. Although much has been accomplished this year in this State, yet it has taken much extra exertion on the part of the planters and bureau to induce the freedmen to work. They are, as a class, perfect children, intellectually. They have hitherto had an owner and overseer to do their thinking for them, and now, when allowed to think and act for themselves, are il fit to exercise the distinguished prerogative. In their abject ignorance, they have been led to believe that their freedom means unrestraint-license to work as they please and do as they please, regardless of contracts or other legal obligations. In order that free labor may prove a success, the freedmen need to be taught the simplest lessons of practical life. They should be taught to depend upon their own personal exertions, and that the highest enjoyment of their freedom is through the means of labor, industry, diligence, frugality, and virtue. One of the greatest difficulties I have to contend with in the experiment of free labor is the want of patience on the part of the southern people. They are too ready, and almost eager, to pronounce it a failure. In their sudden liberation from slavery, the freed people are, I will admit, too often restless, shiftless, and suspicious of all restaint, but these characteristics (which I am making every endeavor to restrain) are the result of their former, rather than their present, relation, and only need kindness, patience, education, and good faith to overcome. Free labor will succeed, and will be the social, financial, and political redemption of the south. The free negro, unlike the North American Indian, is agricultural in his propensities. He is a tiller of the soil, and hence cannot become extinct. His status as an industrial being is a decree of God, and hence irrevocable. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. B. KIDDOO, Brevet Major General and Assistant Commissioner. Major General O. O. HOWARD, Commissioner, Washington, D. C. VIRGINIA. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE POTOMAC, BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS, GENERAL: In compliance with your instructions of October 2, 1866, I have the honor to submit, in the absence of the assistant commissioner, the following report for the portion of the year since November 30, 1865, the date of the last annual report from the State of Virginia. During this time three officers have successively acted as assistant commissioner, viz: Brevet Brigadier General O. Brown, United States volunteers, until May 22, 1866; Major General A. H. Terry, United States volunteers, from that time until August 15, 1866; and Brevet Major General J. M. Schofield, United States army, from that date until the present. By the order relieving Brevet Brigadier General O. Brown, he was retained on duty at these headquarters to aid the assistant commissioner until his services could |