Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-11

CHAPTER 6. '.-
'Gc<<~ii,eony of JOHN H-AUXHURST, token
Jan. 81, 1866. IL -...
Question Where do you reside?
Answer. In Alexandria. Va. | am citizen
c: Fairfax county, Va, and am in the employ
rent of the government as United States d.
-ect tax commissioner.
Q. How long have you held that place?
4. For three years. Fl. t. -.
Z. Are you native OF Virginia ?'r..-. ..a
A. No; | was born IN Queens county, New
Tork. | moved to Virginia in 1916, bought
:roperty there, and engaged In milling. z. i-
D. Have you been IN the rebel service
.. You have been Unionist all along?
!. Yes, sir | left my place, believing that
>lere was an order out for my arrest, on the
2Sth day Of May, 1861, going through the
goods and avoiding the highways, and came to
Washington. .-,...
Q. After that you did not pass back through
ne rebel lines? ..----.- .-.-.-
A. No. l was then appointed to represent
my county ir the first Wheeling, convention,
End served in it; and then was elected 10 the
it legislature Of Virginia, Vi sitting at Wheeling
While | was member there | was appointed
20 my present place. v..a.
O. State what the general feeling is in Vir-
einia, 80 far as you know, towards the govern
nent of the United States.
A. The feeling would seem to be sullen 81
lence amoug large portion ct the people; a
disposition to acquiesce so far as they must,
out no further; a very strong desire to obtain
:heir political influence, and to WELD the actions
Of the general government to suit them.
@. How are they satisfied in regard to the
emancipation of their slaves?
4. They take it as matter of necessity;
:. few, perhaps, do not regret it. Those who
>re loyal accept it and are satisfied.
@. How extensive is your acquaintance with
me rebel portion Of the population?
A. Not very extensive: am we'll acquainted
18th most of the leaders OF our county. Some
Of the original Union men became active and
efficient in the rebellion at later date. The
man who represented our county IN the con-
7ention that passed the ordinance Of secession
was such His error was that he took ground
against coercion, and upon the call Of the
President tor troops went against the govern
ment. He hes come back and taken the oath,
and think him reliable but some of this
class seem more dissatisfied than the original
yecessionists. ...r ..#
=. How does that happen?
a. They seem to feel the disgrace, as they
Deem it, more keenly than the others, and
large portion of them were not Union men
rom principle. but from polcy-deeming Sc
3esslon mistake rather than crime; but
when the State was committed to the measure
they ceased their opposition, and became as &C
i've as the Others and feel the disgrace of de-
,eat more keenly.
.. What is the feeling of all these people
;owards the northern people?
A. It appears hostile
y If they could have their way would the
sabel people generally remain In the Union?
A. No; I think they have stronger aver
sion and dislike Of the Union than when they
seeded.
Q. What has produced this increase Of ha-
;2ad?
4. The irritation Of the war. and the humilia-
':oa Of their State pride, which is very strong
5v5y all national feelings. ~
Q. DO you think they generally desire to see
yae government of the United States preserved?
4, I think not do not think one-tenth Of
nose engaged in the rebellion heartily desire
ne success of our government If it continues
20 be controlled by the present party, and will
-ubmit to it no longer than they are compelled,
nd hope yet to see the time when they will be
:cee from it. ..
g. You think, then they have not given up
nat expectation?
i I think not l believe large portion OF
hem are looking to foreign war as the means
II their deliverance meantime they are active
III endeavoring to obtain political standing to
nc end, that they may either control the govern
Elent 10 their interests or produce separa-
lOA, as may best suit their purposes when
2uan time comes
6. Suppose they get control of it in that
7ay; what, in your judgment, will they be like
y tc do in regard to the public debt of the
United States?
I. ! think they will repudate it.
=. Suppose they cannot repudlate It: what
!:aen would they do would they then ask to
nave their own debt assumed by the United
states government?
\. Yes; | think there is 4 strong feeling
nat their own obligations should be paid as
,7el as ours; think, however there is strong
selling in favor of reputation of the whole
2It falling in that, would endeavor to throw IN
their own.
y. IN case Of war between the United
states and foreign power such as England or
rance, would you regard the rebel States as
Al element OF strength to the government OF
ne United States or Of weakness
a. A great weakness; it would be much
stronger at present if the Union was cut in
two at the Potomac. The north is much
stronger alone than combined with the south
and it would probably require more men to
control the rebel States than to meet any for
elS1 torce that could be sent against US.
u DO you think they generally love this
government less than they do the government
oi almost any other nation?
A. think they have strong and predomi-
nat'ng desire forindependence They hold the
government nj tha Ttn;tod S,,+.e o, . fora;rn