Mr. TEUMBULL. In regard to that I will state it is a ver difficult matter to deal with. It was the opinion of the committee that this was, perhaps, the most equitable arrangement we could make, and as far as we would be justified in going. It was distinctly understood at the time and the order so says, that the titles were to be possessory only. The Senfrom Massachusetts will remember that in our legislation we have ourselves fixed 3 years in some of the laws as the period for which leases of land mioht be given in that section of the country; and in analogy to that the committee thought it would be perhaps an equitable arrangement to confirm this title for the period of direc years, unless by some arrangement to be made with the owners it should be given up; and my hope is that arrangements will be made by which these freedmen will get the title in fee simple to some portion of this land. I believe that a homestead is worth more to these 990 il ethan almost anything else; that if you will make The negro an independent man he must have a home; that so lo s the relation of employer and employee exists between the blacks and the whites, on will necessarily have a dependent population. I think if it were in our power to secure a homestead to me flimily which has been made free; by the constitutional amendment, we would do! more for the colored race than by any other; not we could do; and I trust that arrangements} may be made, inasmuch as they are secured for 3 years in their possession, during that tim byt which they will obtain a portion of the land In e9. I should be glad to go further. I would be glad, if We could, to secure to these people, upon any just principle, the fee of this land; but I do not see with what proricty we chuld except this particular tract o country cm. of all the other lands in the South, and appropriate it in fee to these parties. I think, having gone upon the land in good faith under the protection of the Government, we may protect them there for a reasonable time; an o opinion of the committee was that 3 years would be n reasonable time. EXECUTIVE SESSION.