Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-03-28

Of virginia would they, If the question left to
| them, repudiate and reject that debt A. ] never
! heard any one speak on that subject; but from my
| knowledge of the people, believe that they would
in your opinion regard that as a just debt? A. DE-
| rot know what their opinion is on the subject.
nave never heard any opinion expressed, but have
never heard any opinion expressed contrary to it.
Indeed. as said in the beginning, ] have had very
little dicussion or intercourse with the people.
called on to pay. say that from my knowledge Of
the people generally. Q. Would they pay that debt
or their portion of it, with much aacrity people
ordinarily pay their taxes to their GoyernmenR a.
| do not know that they would make any distinction
between the two. The taxes levied by the Govern
ment, so far as | know, they prepared to pay to
the best OF their ability. never heard them make
| any distinction.
Q. What is the feeling of the people of Virginia
! towards the payment of the so called Confederate
debt? A; believe, so far as nay opinions go.-and
lave no facts to 90 upon-they would be willing to
would? a / think they would If they had the
power and ability to do so. have never heard any
| of repudating any debt. Q. suppose the Confed-
crate debt is vaIueess even in the market in Vr-
gina. A. Entirely; for as know, ! believe the
people look upon it as lost entirely never heard
! any question on the subject. G. Do you recollect
when the Confederate bonds We're made payable? A.
payable six months after declaration of peace. Q.
ok months after ratification of peace between the
United States and the Confederate Government. A.
L mink they that way.
q So that thebonds are due yet by their terms?
A. suppose, unless it is considered that there is
of Virginia the secessionists particularly. feel
towards the freedmen? A. Every one with whom I
nave associated expresses kind feelings towards the
freedmen They wish to them get on in the world
ana particularly to take up some occupation for a
|! living, ana to turn their hands to some work. ]
know that efforts have been made among the
farmers where live to induce them to engage
or the year at regular wages. Q. Doyou think there
give them fair wages for their labor? A. | believe
It's So The farmers generally prefer those servants
VINO nave been living with them before. | have
heard them express their preference for the men
whom they know who had lived with them before.
and their wish TO get them to return to work | am
not aware of any combination among the whites to
that in several counties land -owncrs have mot in
order to establish uniform rate of wages, but
never heard ofany combination to keen down wages
or establish rate which they did not think fair The
means OF paying wages in Virginia very limited
now, and there is difference of opinion as to how
much each person is able TO pay.
Q, How do they feel in regard to the education of
the btacKSI Is there general willingness or uuWil-
llngneSs to have them educated? A. Where | have
been the people exhibit Willingness that the blacks
should be educated. and the! express opinion that
that would be better for the blacks and better for the
whites O. Genera you very competent to Judge
of the capacity of black men to ACQUIRE knowiedre
want your opinion that capacity as compared
with the capacity of white men. A. | do not know
that am particularly qualified to speak on that sub
Ject as you seem to intimate; but do not think he
Is as capable of acquiring knowledge as the white
man is There are some more apt than others. have
known some to gain knowledge and skill in their
trade or profession. have had servants Of my own
who learned to read and write very we'll. O. Dothey
show capacity to obtain a knowledge of mathemat-
les and the exact sciences? A. | have no knowledge
on that subject. l am merely acquantanced with
those who have learned the common rudiments of
education.
2. General, are you aware OF any combination ex-
lSng among the blacks of Nirsina, anywhere in the
State having in view the disturbance of the peace
or any improper or unlawful acts? A. | am not;
have seen no evidence Off and have heard Of none
wherever have been they have been quiet and or
Derry not disposed to work rather not disposed to
any c9htnuouS engagement to work, but just very
short jobs to provide them with the immediate means
oil subsistence. z. Has the colOred race generally as
much love Tor money and property the white race?
A. | do not think it has; the blacks whom know
look more to the present than to the future @ Does
that ABSENCE OF lust OF money arise nTdTe from the
nature OF the negro than from his former serve con-
dition? A. Wei, it may be in some measure attri-
buted to his former conditions they are an omiabIa
social race; they like their ease and comfort and
THINK look more to their present than their future
Q. In the event of war between the United States
and any foreign power, such as England France,
If there should be held out to the secession portion
OF the people of Virginia the other recently rebel
nta'eS alr proSpeGt OF gaming hei- Independence
and shaking % the GOvernme. of the United States
IS IT. or IS It not yeur opinion that they would avail
themselves OF tnat opportunity? A. l canuOt speak
with any certainty on that point; do not know how
lar they might be actuated by their feelings; have
nothing whatever to base opinion upon so far as
L know, they contemplate nothing Of tho kind now
what may happen in the future 1 cannot say. @. 10
you net frequently hear in your nf erroursc with
cessionists in Virginia. expressions of hone that
such war may break out? a. | cannUt say that
have heard it on the contrary haze heard persons
Il do not know whether yOu coald call them seces
sCnistS ol noti mean those people in Virginia with
whom associate) express a hope that the country
may not be led INTO 4 war.
Z. In such an event, do you not think that that
class Of people whom | call secessioniSts would oin
upon he feeling of the individual. O. fit is fair
question: you may answer it net as you choose
what II suca an event might De your own choice? A.
nave no disposition now to do 1t, and never have
had. y. And you cannot foresce that such would
be your inclination in such an eYentS A. No; can
only judge from the past: ! do not know what cir
produce. | REF md 10
events. SO Tar as know, the wish of the people of
Virginia Is for peace z. During the war was it not
con emplated by the Government of the Confederate
States to form an alliance with some foreign nation if
possible? A; believe it was their wsh to do so; il
was their wish to have the Confederate Government
recognI2eH as an inIependent Government. have
no doubt II could nave made favorable treaties il
would have done so; but knew nothing Of the policy
of the Government: had no hand Of part in it;
merely express my own Opinion.
.. The question am about to put to you, you may
OF fidelity or allegiance to the Confederate govern
ment?, A. do net Tacuilect having done So but it
is possible when / was commissioned / did / do
no! recQilect whether it was required. If it was re
CURED too 1t; OF, if it had bgel required would
have taken it-bUt d. not recoIle3t whether it was
By Mr. Blow-Q. In reference to the effect of Pres
lqent johnSon'S policy, II 1t were adopted, would
aSE 'h2t because you USED the expression "acquics
cling in the reSult?' i. ! believe it would take time
for the feelings Of the people to be oftha cordial ma
ture to the Government that they were ior.nerly.
z. Do you think that their preference for that
policy arises fram desire 10 have good feeling and
peGee in country, from the probability of their
desire Of the people of the South it is for the estOra-
ton of their civil government, ard tley look upon
the policy OF President iOanSon the one which
would mCSs clearly and most surely re-estabish it.
o. 10 you see any change in reference to the poorer
much or more interested in Developing their mate
rial interests than they were? A. I have not OBJ
his business for his support O Tba poorer classes
are generally hard at work they? A. So far as I
know they are. know nothing to the contrary. |
have noticed no change in their relations to the col
ored people. SO far as know the feelings of all of
the people of Virginia are kind to the oolOred people
| have never heard any blame attributed to them as
10 the present condition of things any response
bility.
z. Can capitalists and working men from the
North go into Virginia and go to work among the
people. A. do not know anything 70 prevent them,
Their peace and Measure there would depend very
to their own business and did not interfere to pro-
yoke Controversies with their neighbors / do not
believe they would be moested- There Is no desire
to keep out labor and capital On the contrary, they
were yecy anxious to get labor and capital into the
State. The manner in which they would be received
(as | said before would depend entirely on the ind-
vidual They might make themselves obnoxious as
you can understand.
By Mr.. Rewards there not general dislike of
northern men among seces>ionSts? A. | suppose
they would prefer not to associate with them; do
not know that they would select them as associates
Iney might aVoia them. They would not select them
as assocsates unless there some reason do not
huON lldI lu6y WOUlu associate until they become
acquainted. think it probable that they would
not admit them into their social circles.
BY Mr.. Blow-DO yoa think the colored persons
would ratEer work for northern man than a south
eTn man A. think it very probable that they
would prefer the northern man, al hOugh | have no
facts. know OF numbers Of ,he blacks engaging
with their old masters, and | know of good many
who prefer to go of and look for homes. Whether
it is from any dislike to their former masters or from
desire to change. that they feel more free and
independent, L do not know.
Q. What IS your opinion in regard to the material
interests of Vrguado you think they will be equal
to what they were before the rebellion under tho
changed aspect OF ahairsY A. 1t will take a long
time for them to reach their former standard /
think that after they will reach it. hope
they will exceed it-but it can't be immediately in
my opinion. 1t will take number of years. q On
the whole condition of things in Virginia is hopeful
both IN regard to its material interests and the future
peace of the country A. | have heard great hope
expressed. and great cheerfuness and willingness to
labor o. suppose that this policy of President John
son should be all you anticipate, and that you should
also realize all that you expect in the Improvement
of your material interests, do you think that the re-
suit OF that will be the gradual restoration Of the old
feeling? A. That would be the natural result |
think, and | see no other way in which that result
can be brought about,
Q. There is a fear IN the public mind that tn
friends 81 the policy in the South adopt it, because
they see IN It the means OF regaining political posi-
ton which they lost in the recent contest-do you
think that that is the main idea with Them or that
they merely look to it, as you say the best means
OF restoring the civil government and the peace ana
prosperity OF their respective States A. AS to the