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172 investigation with these papers. (Sgd) A.S. Flagg Capt & AQM &c Bureau Refugees Freedmen & A Lauds Office Asst Supt Norfolk County Norfolk Va Nov 21st 1865 Respectfully returned. In Sept last I received from Richmond an order to restore all property in possession of the Bureau belonging to A F Leanord to its owner- In obedience to that order I gave one months notice to each of the tenants in Leanord's houses, among which tenants was Mr. H. M. Bowden. The notice sent Mr. Bowden was precisely the same as sent to the other tenants. I did not know how Mr. Bowden held the house. I found it on the papers of this Bureau when they came into my hands and I know it was transferred to the Bureau in July 1865 by Major Hudson Treasury agent. I could see no reason why Mr. Bowden should not pay rent, as he had for a long time enjoyed a good salary from the government as a clerk and financial agent in the office of the Provost Marshal of this place. He is now clerk of the County Court, while he has a son as deputy clerk. If I understand his present application it is to be allowed to retain the house in which he now is, and I cannot understand why Mr. Leanord should be compelled to support him, after Gov't has relinquished all claim to the former's property. I have no doubt that Mr. Bowden is a loyal man, but it seems to me his proper way to recover damages for his losses should be through the Court of claims, and not by endeavoring to compel Mr. Leanord to reimburse him for what the Union forces destroyed. If Gen'l Viele told Mr. Bowden to retain the property of another until he received recompense for his own, I respectfully submit that Gen'l Viele exceeded his authority in so doing, as the property was restored in obedience to the policy of President Johnson. It appears that Mr. Bowden has had possession of the house since Aug 1862, and from that time to the present, he has paid no rent, although he has during a large portion of that time received a comfortable salary from Government. When I gave him the notice that the property had been restored, I did not 173 know how much rent was owing, and I have not the slightest desire to distress or disturb him. He has paid no rent yet, and I have taken no steps for its collection. I would therefore submit that in view of these facts it is a case over which the Bureau has now no control, but that if Mr. Bowden desires to retain the house he must rent it of the owner. Respectfully (Sgd) Charles E. Johnston Asst Supt Norfolk Va Nov 24th 1865 Respectfully returned to Col O. Brown Asst Com'r Bureau R F & A L Richmond Va with attention invited to the communication of Mr. Johnston Asst Supt of Norfollk County. (Sgd) A.S. Flagg Capt & AQM &c Richmond Va Nov 27th 1865 Respectfully returned to Maj Gen'l O.O. Howard Commissioner &c inviting attention to enclosed report. (Sgd)O. Brown Col & Asst Comr Fow'd Nov 28th 1865 Wm. Massenburg Hampton Va Rec'd Nov 27th 1865. Applies for restoration of property situated in Hampton Va. which property "he is informed has been libelled confiscated and sold." Endorsed Fort Monroe Va Nov 25th 1865 Respectfully referred to Col O. Brown Asst Comr &c with the remark that if Mr Massenburg went off in 1860, he left a man by the name of Cary, a partner in possession who soon abandoned it and joined the Rebels. The colored man referred to lived in an out building as a servant. It was libelled and condemned to be sold as Cary's. I am satisfied the petition is not signed by Mr Massenburg, who when he went off avowed his sympathies with the south and has been and is now I understand living in Georgia. It is the place on which we have our Head Quarters Offices, Stables, Storage, Lumber, Wood Crops, &c. There is no other property in our hands that can supply our wants within several miles, and I therefore very respectfully suggest the hope it may be deferred, or retained, or hired, or purchased. (over)
