New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-28
RECONSTRUCTION.
Further Evidence from the Committee
of Fifteen.
uIsTcRIcAx Episodes.
testimony of Gen. Robert Z. Lee and
Other Witnesses.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, March o. ls66.

The Testimony taken by the Reconstruction
Committee in regard to Virginia and the two Caroinas
WAS to-day reported in the House by Mr.. Conkng and
ordered 10 be printed The delay in reporting it was
cansed by the absence of Senator Howard, before
whom all of il was taken. There were more than 60
Witnesses examined by Senator Howard in relation 10
the condition Of affairs in the States Of Virginia North
Carolina and South Carolina SOise few witnesses were
examined by him in relation to other southern states
but their testimony reported with that OF the States
GEN. LEE TESTIMONY.
Gen Robert +. Lee was sworn and examined by MI
@. where is your present residencei A. Licking
ton Va.
@. How long have you resided in Lexingtoni A.
Since the lst of October last, nearly FIVE months .
O. Are you acquainted with the state of feeling
among what we call Secessionsts in Virginia at pres
ent toward the Government of the United States A.
j do not know that am; have been living very re-
tired and have had but little communication with pom
icians; / know nothing more than from my own OBJ
servation and from such facts as have come 10 my
knowledge.
O. From your observation what is your opinion as to
the feeling Of loyalty toward the Government Of the
United States among the secession portion of the
people of that State at this timer a. so iar as mas
cone TO my knowledge. do not know OF slnsle per
son Who either feels cOntempates any resistance 70
the Government Of the United States, or indeed any
opposition it, word has reached me to either pur
pose
O. From what Won have observed among them, is it
your opinion that they friendly toward the Govern
of the United States and that they VIII cooperate
70 sustain and uphold the Government for the future
A. believe that they entirely acquiesee in the Gov
eminent of the United States and, so far as have
heard any express opinion they are Tor cooper
ating with President johnson in his policy.
q. In his policy IN regard To what a. His poiiey
IN regard TO the restoration OF the whole country
have heard persons with whom have eOnyersed eX
press great confidence in the wisdom Of his policy o.
restoration and they seem to look forward to 1t as
hope Of restoration.
people of the United States who have been forward ana
jealous in the prosecution Of the war aeant the Rebel
honY A. Well don't know l have heard nobody
express any opinion in regard 10 it, as SAID before
have not had much communication with politicians IN
The country If there are any every one seems TO be
engaged in his own affairs and endeay0ring TO restore
the civil government of the State; have heard no ex
pressons of sentiment toward any particular portion
OF the country
PAYMENT Of the debt of the United States, contracted IN
The prosecution Of the war; A. l have never heard
any one speak on the subject; suppose they must eA
heard them speak in reference TO the payment OF taxes
and of their efforts to raise money to pay the taxes
which, suppose, are for their share OF the DEBT
have heard any one speak in opposition 10 the
payment Of taxes. of resistance TO their payment
their whole effort has been TO try and raise the
money for the payment of the taxes
q. From your knowledge of the state OF public feel
ing Virginia is it your opinion that the people would
if the question left to them, repudiae and reject
that debit A never heard any one speak on that
subject; but from my knowledge of the people, be-
eye that they would be in favor OF the payment OF all
just debts.
O. Do they, in your opinion, regard that as a just
debt A. do not know what their opinion is on the
subject of that particular debit have heard any
opinion expressed contrary to it, indeed as said in
tercourse with the people; believe the people wiz
pay the debts they are called upon 10 pay say that
NJ IRON my knowledge Of the people generally.
O. Would they pay that debt or their portion Of it,
with as much aacrity people ordinarily pay their
taxes 10 their Government A. do not know that
they would make any distinction between the two the
faYp aid nv he i
prepared pay to tie best Of their ability never
heard them make any distinction.
@ What is the feeling OF that portion Of the people Of
Virginia in regard to the payment of the so called Con-
federate debt. A. believe. far my opinion goes
have facts to 60 upon, but merely base my opDon
the knowledge have Of the people that they would
be willing to pay the Confederate debt too
Q. You think they would a. think they would If
they had the power and ability to do sO have never
heard any one in the State with whom have con.
yersed speak Of regulating any debt
O. suppose the Confederate paper is almost entirely
valuess even in the market in Virginia A. Entirely
90 far as / know; believe the people generally look
upon il as lost entreyi never heard any question on
the subject
Q. Do Won recoect the terms Of the Confederate
bonds-wheR they were made payabei A 1 think
have general recollection that they made paya-
bic six months after a declaration of peace.
q. Six months after the ratification of a treaty Of
peace between the United States and the Confederate
Government A. think they ran that way.
q So that the bonds not due yet by their terms
A. suppose unless il is considered that there is
peace now, they are not due.
q. How do the people in Virginia, Secessonists more
particularly feel toward the freedmen A. Every one
with whom associate expresses the kindest feelings
toward the freedmen they wish TO see them get
the world and particularly 10 take up occupation
for living, and to turn their hands 10 work;
know that efforts have been made among the farmers
near where live 10 induce them to engage for the
year at regular wages
q Do you think there is q willingness on the part
Of their old masters TO give them fair living wages for
their labOri a. believe it is So the farmers gene
rally prefer those servants who have been living with
hafnr hQa ri thofr
eDce for the men whom they knew, who had lived with
them before, and their wish 10 get them to
work.
q. Are you aware Of the existence Of any combina
tion among the whites" TO keep down the wages Of
the "blacBs." A. am not; have heard that in
several counties the landowners have met in order to
establish a uniform rate Of wages but never heard
nor do know OF any combination TO keep down wages
establish any rate which they did not think fair; the
means Of paying wages in Virginia very limited
now. and there is difference Of opinion 10 how much
each person is able TO pay.
@ How dc tfeysee in regard to the education of the
blacksf Is there general willingness 10 have them
edueatedf a. Where i am and have been the people
have exhibited Willingness that the blacks should be
educated aud they Express opinion that II would be
better for the blacks and better for the whites
Q. General you are very competent to Judge Of the
capacity OF black men for acquiring knowledge.
your opinion that capacity compared to the
capacity Of White meni A do not know that 1 am
particularly qualified TO speak on that subject you
seem TO intimate, but do not think that the black
Is capable Of acquiring knowledge the white man
there are some more apt than others; have known
some TO acquire Knowledge and skill in the trade or
profession; have had servants OF my own who
learned 10 read and write very well.
q. DO they show capacity 10 obtain knowledge Of
mathematics ind the exact sciences : A / have no
knowledge Oh that subject; am merely acquainted
with those who have learned the common rudnents Of
education.
q. General. are you aware Of the existence among
the blacks OF virginia anywhere within the limits Of
the State Of combinations having in view the disturb
ance OF the peace, any improper or unlawful acts
A. am not; have seen no evidence Of it and have