Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-08-04

HENRY A. WISE AND His AFFAIRS. The cores
pondence between Henry A. Wise, Ex-Governor of
Virginia and ex-rebe Major General, and the militia
ry authorities at Norfolk, relating to his extensive
tate Norfolk, has been published. Wise states,
after favoring Col. Howard, commanding at Norfolk,
with copies of his parole papers, that after the i'm
munty from arrest they gave him he started for Nor
folk, adding
II am now DESTROYS of going to my home, at place
called Rolston in Princess Anne county, within four
miles by water and eight by land of Norfolk, situated
the right bank Of the east branch of Elizabeth river
and there to remain undistur6ed and unolested in
cry respect, according to the agreement by which l
was paroled as prisoner OF war. But, upon proper
inquiry and information, find my house occupied by
a considerable number of freedmen and others who
hinder and disturb my possession, and modest the
premises thereof, and am unable to return thereto,
and to take thereof by reason OF Their en-
try and occupation and it is probably unsafe for
even to visit it and see it in person. respectfully
ask that said negroes, or so called freedmen, may be
moved from the said place or plantation, called ROLLS
ton that General Orders No. 43 be carried into eff
feet and that may be enabled, in accordance with
my parole to return to my home, and to remain there
without disturbance or molestaton in any respect"
The above application, which was dsapproved at
headquarters of the sub district of Norfolk Gen. Mann
indorses as follows
81 see no reason why Mr.. Wise should take possess
sion of this house, now used by the Freedmens Blu
and even then it may be necessary for Mr.. Wise to
prove ownership his brother probably, has legal
claim to it,"
Gen. Terry assigns the following reasons for disap
proving the application
"The petitioner Henry A. Wise, abandoned the
land and buildings known Rolliston, Princess Anne
county, Va, in 1861, and found new home for his
family in order that he might to better advantage
gage in rebellion and civil war.
| The premises tins abandoned were duly taken pos
Of hx,tb Tho of tho nnla
laws in such provided, and the application now
under consideration is Mr.. Wises first attempt TO
turn to his former home. When he left it his purpose
to return or rererteRdi, if he had any,
| identity conditioned upon his ability TO conquer the
United States, and forciby dispossess their agents.
He had chosen another home until he could accom-
plish that result He has not succeeded. Though he
wishes go to his former home, he does not abandon
his status so-caed officer, but in fact makes his
claim specifically in that capacity ard he does So
(neglectng to seek pardon and restoration OF right
he must be treated as rebel prisoner of war; with no
rights that we are bound to respect those apper
tanning to person in that condition, as they may be
modified by the terms Of the parole
The quoted order of Major Gen. Gbbon is only for
the instruction of his own command, and has nothing
to do with the question.
The terms approved by Lieut.. Gen. Grant permitted
Brig. Gen. Wise to 60 TO his home and remain there
undsturbed, so long as he observed the laws in force
where he might reside. 1t is clear that this referred
only to Gen. Wises last usual place Of abode'-he
place where his family resided under his drection-the
in many cases like this, the abandoned lands are In
possession OF Treasury agents and commissioners Of
the Freedman's Bureau, and it is and expressly
provided by orders from the President that such lands
shall be released only by special authority from the
Secretary of the Treasury. Lieut. Gen. Grant il is
presumed, had not in his mind the restoration of any
lost, abandoned or forfeited property whatever to
those whom he captured.
The Major General commanding therefore says that
he has power TO restore the place called Roliston
to Brig, Gen. Wise, and certainly he cannot advise
such restoration before the latter takes the oath of al
legance to support the Government of which he asks
| so great favor. And, moreover, Gen. Wise is nd-
monished that in order to enjoy the privileges of his
parole he ought to go TO the present home Of his fam
lily, selected by himself and obey the laws in force,
which require him to leave mndsturbed the lawful
occupants Of the place called Rolison.'
| Gen. Wise apparently objects to the term freed
men, ms applied to certain colored citizens of Nir-
gina, thus showing he acknowledges neither his de-
feat the supremacy Of the laws in force where he
resides. 1t is word used merely for convenience in
classifying the people All men are fee in Virginia
and will SO remain. The barbarous practice Of en-
shaving prisoners Of and their descendants will
never be revived on this continent"
The following anecedoto of Wise is related by a
correspondent of the Tribune;
| "At the railroad depot of Apomattox Court House,
Just after the surrender Wise, with all the parapher-
MALTA and pomp of a rebel officer attempted to enter
car set apart for our own officers AS he sought to
enter he was informed that was not the car for pa
rolled prisoners, and inquired If he was not the man
did not do it it was the law of Virginia. Well
you should be hanged not only for treason but for the
murder of John Brown In a state of furious rage,
Wise observed Young man, I'd rather take bullet
than those words The reply was you can have
both ! but Wise took the prisoners car"