dea from the beginning. And when it was stated here in debate that
the bureau would probably be self-sustaining, it was supposed that
from the lands abandoned, confiscated, sold, and the lands of the
United States, which by the provisions of the bill had been placed
under the care of the commissioner, these freedmen would be given an
opportunity to earn substantially enough for the conduct of the
bureau. And I have no doubt at all that such would have been the case
had the original expectation been carried out.

"There were large tracts of land in Virginia and the other rebel
States which were clearly applicable to this purpose. There was the
source of supply--the lands and the labor. There were laborers enough,
and there was rich land enough. At a very early day the abandoned
lands were turned over to the care of the commissioners, and I
supposed, and probably we all supposed, that the lands which in the
language of the law were known as 'abandoned lands,' and those which
were in the possession of the United States, would be appropriated to
the uses of these freedmen. Within a week after the commissioner
assumed the duties of his office, he found it necessary to issue an
order substantially like this: Whereas, large amounts of lands in the
State of Virginia and in other States have been abandoned, and are now
in the possession of the freedmen, and are now under cultivation by
them; and, whereas, the owners of those lands are now calling for
their restoration, so as to deprive the freedmen of the results of
their industry, it is ordered that the abandoned lands now under
cultivation be retained by the freedmen until the growing crops can be
secured, unless full and just compensation can be made them for their
labor and its products.

"'The above order'--this is the part about which it appeared that some
difference of judgment existed between the Executive and the
commissioner of the bureau--'the above order will not be construed so
as to relieve disloyal persons from the consequences of their
disloyalty; and the application for the restoration of their lands by
this class of persons will in no case be entertained by any military
authority.'

"It was found, not a great while afterward, that the views which the
President entertained as to his duty were somewhat in conflict with
the provisions of this order; for it was held by the President that
persons who had brought themselves within the range of his pardon and
had