Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-04
Secretary of the Treasury,

public debt as appears from the books and Treasu-
rer returns in the Department on the 1st of Jany.
1866. HUGY McCrttocu
Secretary Of the Treasury,
RESTORATION OF LOST TITLES TO SOUTHERN ESTATES
One of the greatest embarrassments resulting to
property owners in the South by the late war is the
loss OF vast amount of papers relating TO the titles
Ofland and which in the occupation of their country
seats by the Federal forces very generally suffered de-
Struction by fire other cause. To obyate the diff
Guilty prevailing in many localities in the trans
fer Of lands with reasonable show of tle the Gen
eral Land Office has ordered its agents throughout
the Southern States to carefully collect all vestiges
and remnants Of the records of their Office and for
ward them to the Commissioner at Washington, that
new plots and other archives pertaining to the lands
may be supplied as far as possible. New maps are
also being got up with all possible despatch If is
well know that at the time of our invasion the South
many advenurers attached to the army secured many
valuable papers and records relative to certain large
estates, in the hope of owners offering heavy rewards
for their restoration after the close Of the war 1t is
the hope of the Comm ssioners of Public Lands to be
able to furnish so much Of the missing data as to pre-
vent parties to the theft gaining by the documents
they now withhold in expectation of bribe
RECORD OF THE PROVOST NARsHAL's OFFICE OF WASH
ISGToE.
The records of Major Russell, Provost Marshal of
Washington, shows that since June, 1865, to the
present time, the cases of some $4,000 prisoners
number the old Capitol Prison shows npon its record
that has housed TOR longer and shorter period six
TIVE zen hundred prisoners OF war; forty;ve hundred
twenty-five hundred deserterS and bOunty-iumperS
sEMMEs.
Semmes the commander of the pirate Alabama.
has not yet been removed to the Old Cayta but is
confined at the Navy Yard in room adjoining the
chapel The room is in the secondstory of the build
ing. and Is very comfortably furnished with bed
sofa, and table and it also carpeted The marines
at the yard are charged with his custody sentry is
constantly on duty while outside
the building under the windows of the room another
sentry is Stationed No one is allowed to speak TO or
hold intercourse with him except one gentleman who
holds pass from the Navy Department. understood
| to be his counsel He spends most of his time in
reading having brought with him some of his favorte
books. his meals are brought from restaurant near
by and paid for by the Government Under the cir
cumstances he is quite cheerful but seems to be
| anxious that the trial shall take place speedily
| The COMMITTEES AT WORK.
| The Select Committee on Reconstruction have had
| only one meeting, merely on preliminary business
The next will not take place until after the re-as-
| sembling of Congress-
The report of the commission heretofore appointed
to examine into the operations of the various
nue. laws. with view to a more intelligent legisla-
| tion on the subject is nearly prepared
The Committee on Ways and Means waiting to
receive it before considering the financial measures
| necessary for the support of the Government
All the papers and credentials. which have been
referred to the Committee on Elections are being
| printed: The testimony in the contested election
1 cases will make large volume,