f the courts of the United States and of the
States."

"Let us see," replied Mr. Trumbull, "how they are protected by the
civil authority." After having read from documents setting forth laws
in reference to freedmen in force in Texas and Mississippi, Mr.
Trumbull continued: "I have here a number of communications of a
similar character, showing that, by the laws in some of the Southern
States, a pass system still exists, and that the negro really has no
protection afforded him either by the civil authorities or judicial
tribunals of the State. I have letters showing the same thing in the
State of Maryland, from persons whose character is vouched for as
reliable. Under this state of things, the President tells us that the
freedman should be protected 'by the exercise of all the
constitutional powers of the courts of the United States and of the
States!'"

"He also possesses," said the President, referring to the freedman, "a
perfect right to change his place of abode; and if, therefore, he does
not find in one community or State a mode of life suited to his
desires, or proper remuneration for his labor, he can move to another
where that labor is more esteemed and better rewarded."

"Then, sir," said Mr. Trumbull, "is there no necessity for some
supervising care of these people? Are they to be coldly told that they
have a perfect right to change their place of abode, when, if they are
caught in a strange neighborhood without a pass, they are liable to be
whipped? when combinations exist against them that they shall not be
permitted to hire unless to their former master? Are these people,
knowing nothing of geography, knowing not where to go, having never in
their lives been ten miles from the place where they were born, these
old women and young children, these feeble persons who are turned off
because they can no longer work, to be told to go and seek employment
elsewhere? and is the Government of the United States, which has made
them free, to stand by and do nothing to save and protect them? Are
they to be left to the mercy of such legislation as that of
Mississippi, to such laws as exist in Texas, to such practices as are
tolerated in Maryland and in Kentucky? Sir, I think some protection is
necessary for them, and that was the object of this bureau. It was not
intended, and such is not its effect, to interfere with the ordinary
administration of justice in any State, not even during the rebellion.
The moment tha