<P> General, I have the honor to report that the old owners of the lands on the Sea Islands, are making strong efforts to regain possession of them . These Islands were set apart for the colonization of the freedmen, by General Sherman's Special Field Order no . 15: Head Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi: In pursuance of this Order, which was issued as a military necessity, with the full approval and sanction of the Honorable Secretary of War, I, as you are already aware, have colonized some forty (40) thousand Freedmen, on forty (40) acre Tracts . promising them that they should have promissory titles to the same . </P> <P> I consider that the faith of the Government is solemnly pledged to these people, who have been faithful to it . and that we have no right now to dispossess them of their lands . </P> <P> I believe that Congress will decide that Genl Sherman's Order has all the binding effects of a Statute, and that Mr. Stanton will sustain you in not giving up any of these lands to their late owners . </P> <P> I respectfully ask that this Order which I have carried out in good faith, Shall now be enforced, and that no part or parcel of the lands which have been disposed of under its just provisions, shall, under any circumstances, be restored to the former owners . It seems to me not as wise or prudent to do injustice to those who have always been loyal and true, in order to be lenient to those who have done their best to destroy the nation's life . </P>

The idea of redistributing plantation land to freedmen