Viewing page 71 of 248

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

War Department,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Washington, August. 22nd, 1865.

Col. O. Brown
Asst. Commissioner, Freedmens Bureau for Virginia
Richmond Va.

Colonel,

Your letter of the 18th inst. has just been received.  Circular No 13. will not be observed for the present, but in the place thereof General Howard will issue another as soon as he returns.

In case where you hold land and application is made for the same, the burden of proof of ownership &c will of course rest with the applicant, you being in possession.

You are the judge and jury, and of course you decide upon the admissability and weight of evidence.  In the Circular which is to be issued, on the subject of lands, it is probable that applications for the restoration of the same together with the evidence of ownership, loyalty or pardon of applicants