I  have  been  denounced  in  the  Kentucky  legislature  as  a  liar
and  slanderer.  A  committee  has  been  appointed  to  investi-
gate the  matter.  .  .  I  have  good  reason  for  believing  that  the
committee  will  simply  make  a  report  that  General  Fisk  is  a
great  liar,  and  should  be  removed  from  oflSce,  etc.  It  is  well
to  remember  that  a  more  select  number  of  vindictive,  pro-
slavery,  rebellious  legislators  cannot  be  found  than  a  majority
of  the  Kentucky  legislature.  The  President  of  the  United
States  was  denounced  in  the  senate  as  a  worse  traitor  than  Jef-
ferson Davis,  and  that,  too,  before  the  bureau  tempest  had
reached  them.  The  entire  opposition  is  political,  a  warfare
waged  against  loyalty^  freedom,  and  justice.
Bureau  Courts  in  Georgia

Senate  Ex.  Doc,  no,  2,  39  Cong,,  2  SesA,  p.  64.      Report  of  Gen.
Davis  Tlllson.  [November  1,  1S66]

On  assuming  command  of  the  department,  Major  General
Steadman  found  the  bureau  courts  acting  in  a  manner  so  il-
legal and  oppressive,  and  creating  so  much  well-founded  oppo-
sition to  the  government,  that  he  was  constrained  to  abolish
them  and  require  all  cases  to  be  adjudicated  before  provost
courts  or  military  commissions.  After  the  appointment  of
civil  agents  of  the  bureau,  the  department  commander  ordered
that  all  cases  involving  the  rights  of  the  freedmen  should  go
before  them,  except  cases  exceeding  their  jurisdiction,  which
should  be  tried  before  a  military  commission.  This  system
was  found  to  produce  most  satisfactory  results.  ..
