The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-09-21

ticulars, substituted therefor:
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, AND
ABANDONED LANDS,
WASHINGTON. d. c., Sept II, 1865.
Circular No. Is, OF July %, 1865, from
this Bureau, and all portions of circulars
from this bureau, conflicting with the
provisions Of this circular, are hereby re-
scinded.
This bureau has charge of such tracts
of land within the insurrectionary States
as shall have been abandoned, Or to
which the United States shall have ac-
CURED title by eonfiscation or sale, or
Otherwise; and no such lands now in its
possession shall be rendered to any claim
ant, except as hereinafter provided.
"a. Abandoned lands are defined i'll
Section I'd of the act of Congress approx
ed July 2d, 1864, as lands the lawful own
ers whereof shall be voluntarily absent
therefrom, and engaged either in arms
or otherwise in aiding or encouraging
the rebellion.
4th. Land will not be regarded as con-
fiscated until it has boen condemned,
and sold by decree Of the United States
court for the district in which the prop
erty may be found aad the title thereto
vested in the United States.
9TH. Upon its appearing satisfactorily
to any assistant commissioner that any
property under his control is not ADAM
doned as above defined, and that the
United States has acquired no title to it,
by cOnfiscation, sale, or otherwise, he
will formally surrender it to the author
lied claimant or claimants, promptly re-
porting his action TO the Commissioner.
9Th. Assistant commissioners will pre-
pare accurate descriptions OF all confsca-
ted and abandoned lands under their
control, keeping a record thereof them
selves, and forwarding monthly to the
Commissioner copies OF these descrip
tons in the manner prescribed in Circu-
lar No 10. of July 18th, 1868, from the
bureau. They will set apart so much of
said lands as is necessary for the imme-
diate use of loyal refugees and freedmen,
being careful to select for this purpose
those lands which most clearly fall under
the control of this bureau, which selec-
ton must be submitted to the Commits
er for his approval. The specific divi-
sion OF lands SO set apart into lots, and
the rental or sale thereof, according to
section 4th of the law establishing the
bureau, will be completed as soon as
practicable and reported to the Commits
sioner.
It'll. Abandoned lands held by this bu-
reau may be restored to owners pardon
ed by the President by the assistant
commissioner, to Whom application for
such restoration should be forwarded, so
far as practicable, through the superin-
tendent of the districtin which the lands
are situated, and which application must
be accompanied by, LIST, evidence of spe-
cial pardon by the President, or a copy
of the oath OF amnesty presented in the
Presidents proclamation Of May 29th,
1868, when the applicant isnot included
in any of the classes therein excepted
from the benefits ofsaid oath. I'd. Proof
of the title. Officers of the bureau
through whom the application passes
will endorse thereon such facts as may
assist the assistant commissioner in his
decision, stating especially the use made
by the bureau of the land.
Sth. No lands under cultivation by
loyal refugees or freedmen will be re"
stored under this circular until the crops
now growing shall be received for the
benefit of the cultivators, unless full and
just compensation be made for their la
Dor and its products, and for their expen-
ditures. @. o. HOWARD,
Major General and Commissioners.
Approveds ANDREW JOHNSON, Pres.
ident of the United States.