Mr. TRUMBULL. I wish to state what it is. I resume there will be no objection to the whenment. The bill, as it was reported from the ComJudiciary, provided for confirming the possessory titles granted in pursuance of GenlSherman s order, without stating what those titles were. At the time the bill was reported it was supposed that tholl titles had been originally granted for the period of 3 years, but [have since ascertained that they were granted without limitation, very much in the language of the order. It will be recollooted that Major GenlSherman in his order stated that certain lands would be set apart for the benefit of the freedmen, and that a general officer would be detailed to give them a possess or title in writing. The order states that the tit cs were to be possessory only, and that the military authorities would protect the occu ants in their possession until congress should determine in regard to the titles. About one year has expired since these titles were granted. There are some 40 or 50,000 negroes upon these lands, who have been upon them for something flketfjcifr. The committee propose to confirm them in these possessions for the period of 3 years from the time they took possession, thinking that they had a sort of equitable title to the occupation of the lands fora year, and that it would be unjust to turn them off at once. The owners of these lands had abandoned them and were fighting against the Government at the time this order was made. Major GenlSherman when he arrived at Savannah found a large number of these peisons flocking around his camp whom he had to support out of his commissary stores; he found these lands abandoned by their owners, who were marshaled avninst us in the rebel army; and he directed these persons, whom he was feeding and who were flocking around his army, to go upon these lands, and promised them protection in the possessions which should be set apart for them. They went there and took possession, and now we propose to reflect them in that possession for the period oft ree years from the cof the order.