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Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
Office Assistant Commissioner.
FOR STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
Vicksburg, Miss., December 15. 1865.

Major General O O Howard
Commissioner, Bureau R.F. & A.L.,

General,

I have the honor to forward herewith the applications of Mrs Ben Johnson, and of Maria L Magruder, for contested property in this city. Although authorized by you to relinquish control, I could surrender the property to neither, without involving myself in trouble with the other, either party preferring that the Government should hold the place rather than their opponent; and deciding a suit that should properly come before the civil authorities.

I now lay the papers before you for action, and am,
General,
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Saml Thomas
Colonel, Assistant Commissioner,
Bureau R.F. & A.L. Miss.