Mr. RAYMON D. Mr. Speaker, I have the consent of the Gentfrom Massachusetts to occupy one momentiu personal explanation, and I will avail myself o it now. I was not in the House when the debate on this subject closed on Friday afternoon last and until I saw the Globe containing the proceedings of that afternoon, I was not aware of some remarks which seem to have been made at that time by m colleague on the other side of the House, [liln Grunts2m] I find that whileal luding to a letter said to have been written by GenlSherman to the POTUS in regard to his appropriation of certain lands for the use of negroes in the Sea Island plantations, my colleague says: "That letter should nowbe before the country and in the hands of this House. It was in my hon s to presentto this House. but owing to the delay conse quont on the debate. I withdrew my claim to present it and it. was given to my colleague to present [Mr. RAYMOND] to this House.” I know nothing about any such transaction as is there narrated. I knew nothing of any such letter having been placed in the iands of my colleague. knew nothing of his having had any claim or yielded any claim to present such a letter to the House, and I certainly never for one moment dreamed of bein ncon testant with him for the presentation of such a letter, or for anything else and nowpermit me to sayin explanation of my ooiinection with that letter simply this: I was told in conversation with aGentfrom SCarolina, from whom I endeavored to obtain information on this subject, that such a letter had been written, and he showed me the original letter. I asked him if he had any objection to my taking a cop, not for presentation to this House, but for publication in a news aperwith which I happen to be connected, an he assented at once; and it was thus, and for that purpose only, that the lettercame into my hands. That is all I wish to Isfay upon that subject. the Gentfrom Massachusetts will permit me for a momentlonger, I will avail myself of this opportunity further to say that the General purpose of this bill seems to be one that this congress has no right to refuse to take some steps to attain. We ewe, as a duty to those who have been set free, the protection which this bill affords. I have no a prehensions as to the practical workings of this law. So far as I have been able to collect information from all quarters and I have taken some pains to do soI find that this law, like mostother laws on our statute books, works well where it is well administered. The practical operations of this bureau will deend upon the e aracter of the agents into whose iands its man ement is intrusted. Icertainly have no appreension in this respect. I do not for one moment fear that the agents who will be appointed to carry this law into execution will not use the powers conferred upon them for the furtherance of the great object which we all have in viewthe reconciliation, the protection, the securiof all classes of those who are now our fc lowcitizens in the southern States. I believe that the law will be well carried out. I am quite sure that it will work well. I have no apprehension that it will result in the evil consequences so eloquently depicted on Friday last by the gallant Gentfrom Kentucky, [Mr. Rousseau] I am greatly obliged to my friendfrom Massachusetts [Mr. Liner] for the opportunity which he has afforded me to make these remarks.