Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,

States of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Assistant Commissioner's Office,

Nashville, Tenn., November 13^th 1866.

 

Captain Ja^s. M. Tracy,

Asst. Comr's Office,

Nashville. Tenn.

                                               

Captain:

I have the honor to enclose herewith Special Order N^o 1 of 2 C.S. from this Office.

 

            The Assistant Commissioner directs that your efforts will be more particularly directed to the collection of rentals due this Bureau from property held as abandoned. Many of the lessees of this property have been deterred from paying rents to the Bureau through fear of prosecution by the former owners, who in many instances have laid claim to the same. Such claims will not be recognized / unless the claimant has obtained the withdrawal of the jurisdiction of the Bureau by Special Order from this office and in all cases where the conditions of Circular N^o 7. C.S. from this office have not been complied with the collection of rents by the Bureau will be enforced.

 

            You will impress upon the lessees the fact that the Bureau can and will protect them from the pretentions of the former owners, while at the same time the Assistant Commissioner will not permit evasion of their obligations to this Bureau. Rents due the Bureau must be collected, and if it be necessary to this end you will cause writs of attachment to be issued and will hold the property of the lessees as security for the payment of the rents.

 

            You will make duplicate report of rents collected by you, on the blank forms herewith enclosed, one copy of which will be furnished Captain Sam^l Walker, Supt &c / Knoxville, Tenn. for his information, and one copy to Bvt. Major George W. Marshall A.Q.M. Nashville Tenn. to whom the rents so reported will be turned over.

 

I am, Captain

Very respectfully

Your Obedt Servant

S. W. Groesbeck

Lieut and A.A.A.Genl

SOURCES