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on the 18 Jany 1864 delivered the keys of my residence & received the acknowledgement of which the following is a copy

"QM Office Huntsville Ala 18 Jany 1864
In obedience to requisition, heretofore made Mr G Beirne has this day delivered to me the key to his residence on William St
E W Cleft
Lt & A AQM in chg Buildings"

From that time until the 10 July 1865 my dwelling has been occupied by the Military Authorites, when it was delivered over to me by Maj Gen Granger the last occupant & I have been in posession of it since that time. This simple relation of facts, without argument, I think shows sufficient cause, why a lease of my own property should not be required of me. It is to be inferred that such a lease is asked upon the premise that the property in question is considered as belonging to the United States as abandoned -
The Law upon the subject is thus defined in the Circular of Maj Gen OO Howard.

"Abandoned Lands are defined in Sectin 2 of the Act of Congress, approved July 2 1864, as lands the lawful owner whereof shall be voluntarily absent therefrom and engaged either in arms or otherwise in aiding & encouraging rebellion."

It is very plain from this law that the lawful owner of such land must not only be voluntarily absent therefrom, but also engaged in arms or otherwise in aiding or encouraging rebellion - both of these conditions must concur to make out a case.
It will be admitted that I was the legal owner at the time I was deprived of possession. It will be