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THE ABANDONED PLANTATIONS. Important Circular from Major General Howard, the Commissioner of Freedmen. CIRCULAR NO. 8. WAR DEPARTMENT, BUREAU OF FREEDMEN, REFUGEES AND ABANDONED LANDS, WASHINGTON, MAY 22, 1865 WHEREAS, a large amount of land in the State of Virginia, and in --er States that I been in insurrection, has been abandoned by disloyal owner, and is now being cultivated freedmen; and whereas, the owners of such lands are attempting to obtain possession of then and thus deprive the freedmen of the fruits of their industry, it is ORDERED that all abandoned until the crops now growing shall he secured for their benefit, usless full and just compen- sation be made for their labor and its products, and for expenditures. The above order will not be so construed as to relieve disloyal persons from the consequen- ces of their disloyality, and the application for the restoration of their lands by this class of persons will in no case be entertained by any military authority. O.O.HOWARD, Major General Commissioner of Freedmen, Refugees and Abandoned Lands. WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL´S OFFICE Mor Defrantner WASHINGHTON, MAY 22, 1865. All military authorities will sustain the Commissionet of the Bureau of Refugees, Freed- men and Abandoned Lands, and aid him in the execution of the above order. By direction of the Secretary of War E.D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant General. copy. SURGEON, 12th N.H. Vols. Commanding Post.