Mr. KERR. I will read the 1st paragraph of that famous field order, No. 15: “" The islands from Charleston south. the abandoned rice fields along the rivers for 30 miles back from the sea and the country bordering the StJohns trlievmerc. nFtlorida, are reservedand set apart for the set of the negroes now made free by the actsof war and the proclamation of the POTUS ” Much has been said as to the intentions of the distinguished general by whom this order was promulgated. I know not what were the intentions in his own mind at the time. Nor is it material to know what they were. The order is now history, a public record, and must be so considered. But I doubt not the generals intention was in harmony with correct legal construction. There is a legal rule by which we may all determine for ourselves from the face of the order what were the intentions of the distinguished general who made it. It is a rule of interprctation that when an officer of the Government makes an order of this kind he intends to go just so far and no further than he has legal power to 50; that he means no assumption of power he oes not possess. GenlSherman s letter referred to: VASBINGTON. February 2. 1866. SIR: I of your have the honor to acknowledgethe receipt letter or February 1. Mini compliance with yqour request I o. 15. oflSii inclose herewith a copy of ficldorder. reasons for mawkiinthgtiht:is brief history of the origin and Hon. E. M. Stanton. SecyWar. came to Smayvannah soon after its occupationby the forces under command and C(illftlledfreely with me astothe best method to provide for the vast number of ncirroes gwihao. had followed the armyfrom theinterior of Geor as also of those who had already congregated on the island near Hilton llend and were still coming into our lines, We agreed perfectly that the young oarnde mnpblloeybeoddiedmen should be enlisted as soldiers. b the Quartermaster in the necessary Work of unloaing ships and forothernrinyfpurposes; but this left on our hands the old and cab e. the women and children, who had necessarilyto be fed by the U.S. Mr. Stanton summoned a large number of the old negroes. mostly irenchers. with whom he held along conference. of which he took down notes. After this cWointhfesroemncee he was satisfied that the negroes could. little aid from us, by meansof the abun ndaovnicgda illeanrtinvieiorns. s taoknetheearseen of islands and along the quested themselves. He re and pracmti ceatoblder. law up a plan that would be uniform I made the rough draft and we ewheanntgoevse, raint. dvethryecparreesfuelnlyt. Mr. Stanton making many Were orders No. 15resulted and made public. I know. o land and mecroeulyrse. we could not conve the title to provided possessory ti esto begood saoimloendgtoasmwaakreanpdroovuirsiine inlistafroyr powerlasted. Imerely the negroos who were absolutely dependenton us leaving the value of their orgsessioton e determined by after events or legislatlon. At that. time. January. l8ti5. it will bercmciu hered that the tone of the peopleof the South was very defiant and no one could tell When the period of war would cease: therefore I that did not contemplate event as being so near at hand. I am, with great respect flour w. obedient servant, T. suit: MAN. Mtuor General. ToqAsnnnw Joussou., POTUS.