GENERAL ORDERS 29 EQUAL TREATMENT OF BLACKS. "Equal Treatment...

"Equal Treatment for Black Americans"  Genreal Orders No. 129, Ordering Equal Treatment for Black Americans.  Printed order on 7" x 4.5" sheet, from the War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, July 25, 1865, Choice Very Fine.  Given "By Order of the Secretary of War" and signed in print by Assistant Adjutant General e. D. Townsend:  "To secure equal justice and the same personal liberty to the freedmen as to other citizens and inhabitants, all orders issued by post, district, and other commanders, adopting any system of passes for them or subjecting them to any restrains or punishments not imposed on other classes, are declared void. / Neither whites nor blacks will be restrained from seeking employment elsewhere when they cannot obtain it at a just compensation at their homes, and when not bound by voluntary agreement; nor will they he hindered from traveling from place to place on proper legitimate business."  Light toning and two small file holes at left margin.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, prohibiting slavery, was proposed to the legislatures othe the several States by the Thirty-eighth Congress, on the 31st day of January, 1865, and the legislatures of 27 of the 36 states, although the Army adopted it as policy earlier.