As soon as this matter came under the observation of the bureau, the facts in the case were represented to Brevet Major General J.P. Hawkins, commanding western district of Louisiana, and at the same time a request was made that the restrictions imposed upon the freedmen in this section by General Orders No. 24, headquarters northern division of Louisiana, be revoked; and the general issued an order, dated July 31, which removes the said restrictions, and prohibits the parish police juries, established by the civil authorities, from arresting freedmen unless for positive offence against the law. This breaks down the last barrier to the enjoyment of liberty by the freedmen in western Louisiana, and I feel highly gratified that it has been accomplished without referring it to higher authorities, as our mail facilities are so irregular that at least two months would have been consumed by the operation. Upon the 10th of July the freedmen's hospital was opened for the reception of patients, and enclosed please find a copy of the hospital report for July, marked 1. This is a necessary as well as a charitable institution, as the city authorities have as yet taken no measures to provide for the indigent sick. Since the establishment of the bureau here, it has been found necessary to issue rations to freedmen, as follows: To citizen employees 46 To helpless and infirm 236 To sick and hospital attendants 1,169 ----- Total issued 1,451 ===== The number fed by the government to-day is as follows: Men 7 Women 6 Children 10 -- Total number infirm and helpless rationed 23 Number sick at hospital 40 Number hospital attendants 24 Number citizen employees rationed 1 -- Total number supplied with rations 88 ==