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War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
Washington, Nov 21st, 1865

Hon. E. M. Stanton
Secretary of War

Sir

I have the honor to submit the following subject for your consideration and request instructions thereon.

1st, Should the Military authority have any wood on abandoned occupied estates, in the South, during the rebellion, and on the surrender of the rebel armies, should have turrned said wood over to this Bureau, has the Bureau authority to sell said wood?

2nd, has this Bureau authority to cut wood and abandoned estates, while said estates are in possession of the Bureau, disposing of said wood for the benefit of the Freedmen.

3rd, should wood cut on abandoned estates while in possession of the Bureau, not have been disposed of prior to the date of other owner's pardon, is he, said owner, on being repossessed of his estates, entitled to said wood, or can the Bureau have said wood, disposing of it for the benefit of the freedmen.

4th, Has the Bureau authority to cut and use in the erection of necessary buildings for Freedmen wood cut on abandoned estates.

Very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
(Sd) O.O. Howard
Major General 

(over)

Transcription Notes:
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