Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-29

recruit, are at perfect liberty to do so-though
we utter a warning against il, which may be
unheeded now, but viii be remembered IN
bitterness hereafter
REPORT OF THE RECONSTRUCTION
TTEE-TEsTIMONY OF GEN.
LEE AND OTHERS.
1.-THE report furnished us by telegraph of
the testimony Of Gen. Lee before the Recon-
struction Committee is so imperfect and
senseless, that in justice to that worthy man,
as well az to our readers, we determined 10
omit until we can get more perfect re-
port.-EDs. Us. & AM.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-Generals Avery
and Turner, and Col. Brown, and most, if
not all of the unqualified Union men, con-
Cured in representing the sentiment of the
people of Virginia in relation to the Gov
eminent as unimproved, and as rather
having become embittered since Lees sur
render.
They say at that time the people were
humble, sick of war, longing for peace on
any terms, and ready to accept gratefully
the pardon Of the Government and to sub
NIT to any conditions that might be made,
while now they are arrogant, exacting and
intOlerant.
Most of the witnesses Of that class express
the decided opinion that the withdrawal of
the Federal troops and of the Freedmen's
Bureau would be followed by an unrelenting
prescription of white Unionists, and the
prescription and remission to slavery of the
colored people.
The change Of feeling is very generally
ascribed by these witnesses to the Presi-
dents liberal policy.
In regard to the FEDERAL debt, the people
Of Virginia are represented as in favor OF
its reputation, or at least of combining with
it the Confederate debt
The witnesses who have been connected
with the Confederacy, however deny this,
and represent the people as unwilling to pay
their share Of the Federal debt by taxation.
On this subject General Lees opinion is
that they are willing to pay both, and are
opposed to a reputation of either.
Outside of these matters of general in
quiry, there is one historical episode con-
nected with the secession of Virginia and
the outbreak of the rebellion, in which the
testimony Of three witnesses was taken.
This was a conference sought for and held
by Mr.. Lincoln with member of the Nir-
ginia secession Convention, delegated by the
Union members of that body, Mr.. Jno. p
Baldwin, prior TO the opening of the rebel
batteries on Fort Sumpter. The first state
ment on the subject came from Mr.. Jno. II
Laws, an uncompromising Union man all
through the war, and who had himself been
a member Of the Virginia Convention.
He testified that on the evening of the
10th of April, 1861, he visited Jno. Minor
Bolts in Richmond and learned from him
that he had an interview with J. p. Bald
win.
The narrative of the transaction given by
Mr. Baldwin is this After relating the cir
cumstances of a special messenger being sem
to Richmond by Mr. Seward, with a Request
| that Judge Summers or some other leading
member should come to Washington to have
a conference with Mr. Lincoln, of his beine
sent for and accompanying the member t.
Washington the same night; of his being in
troduced the next morning by Mr.. Seward
to Mr.. Lincoln of Mr.. Lincoln's taking hin
into a private bed room that they might b
the more free from interruption.
He gave narration of the conversation
which was open by Mr.. Lincoln's remark
ing:
Mr.. Baldwin, am afraid you have conn
too late
Too late for what? / am afraid yon hav,
come too late, said he. l wish you coult
have been here three or four days sooner.
Why, replied Mr.. Baldwin. Allow me Il
say, Mr.. President, that do not understand
your remarks. You sent a special messen
ger to Richmond, who arrived there yester
day. / returned by the shortest and mos
expeditions mode of travel known.
Why do you notadjourn the Virginia Con
vention? said Mr.. l..
Adjourn it! How do you mean, sine DIET
Yes sine die. 1t is a standing menace Il
me which embarrasses me very much.
/ am very much surprised, said Mr.. b.
to hear you express that opinion.
The Virginia Convention is in the hand
of Union men, who have in it a clear an
controlling majority.
We are controlling 1t for conservative
results.
We can do it with perfect certainty if yo
will uphold our hands by conservativ
policy here.
If we were to adjourn sine die, leavin
these questions unsettled, it would plac
the Union men of Virginia in the attitud
of confessing an inability to meet the oC
casion.
The result would be that another conveu
ton would be called, which would be unde
the exclusive control of secessionists, and a
ordinance of secession be passed in less thai
six weeks.
Our, true policy is to hold the position
that we have, for you to uphold our hand
by a conservative national course. Thu
Union men in Virginia would not be willin
to adjourn that Convention until we eithe
effect some settlement of the matter, or as
certain that it cannot be done.
Mr.. Baldwin then went on TO sketch out
plan Of the policy which he thought tn
President should pursue, embracing a con
ciliatory and assuring proclamation, cal
for great National Convention, and tn
Withdrawal of the forces from forts Picken
ard Sumpter.
This was about the substance of the in
terview; Mr.. Lincoln giving Mr.. B. no pledg
and no promise, and making no offer of any
sort.
Mr.. B. visited Mr.. Seward the same af
ternoon, and found him extremely earnest il
the desire to settle the matter, and apparent
ly shrinking from the idea Of a clash O
arms.
Mr.. Baldwin went on TO Richmond anC
reported to the gentlemen who sent him.