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Semi-official

[[strikethrough]] Headquarters, Assistant Commissioner, [[/strikethrough]]
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
[[strikethrough]] South Carolina and Georgia, [[/strikethrough]]
Charleston, S. C. Nov 6th.- 1865.

Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard,
Commissioner, &c. Washington D.C.

General.-

Having returned from Savannah, where I have made preliminary arrangements for the restoration of certain rice plantations, and in some cases granted informal possession, according to your instructions.  I have begun the work assigned me at Charleston.

 Mr. Stanton's telegram, a copy of which was forwarded to you, seemed to indicate that in no case were the freedmen to be disturbed in their possession for the present, unless an agreement could be arranged between themselves and the former owners, and your reply from Mobile makes it clear that the Board of Supervisors, to be immediately constituted, as to affect the arrangement which Mr. Stanton proposes.  I shall report to you promptly the result of their efforts, and in the mean time shall be more fully assured, if I receive from you further instructions in regard to the course to