Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-28
TESTIMONY OF GEN. LEE.

The testimony of Gen Robert E. Lee before
the Reconstruction Committee, making some
thirty six manuscript pages, was submitted IN
the Senate to-day He gives 1t as his oplnlcn
that the people of Virginia would, if able, be
willing to pay the Confederate debt; says that
the whites express kind feelings towards the
freedmen and are willing to pay them fail
wages. The whites, he says, would prefer
that the freedmen should be educated, as better
for them and better for the blacks Thinks
the blacks not as capable Of acquiring kuowl-
edge as the whites is not aware OF the exls-
teuce of any combination among the blacks OF
Virginia for the disturbance OF the peace; they
are quiet and orderly, but not disposed to work
except on temporary jobs, to provide them
with immediate means Of subsistence. Is not
able to form an opinion whether in the event
of war between the United States and any
foreign power, such as England or France,
the people of the South would avail themselves
of the opportunity to endeavor to gain their
independence So far as he knew they con-
template nothing of the sort now. Has heard
people of Virginia with whom he associates
express the hope that the country may not be
lead into war. In the event OF such war
he had no disposition to join he'common enc
my and never had. He did not recollect ever
having taken the oath of allegiance to the
Confederate Government, though he may have
done SO when he was commissioned So tar as
he knows the desire OF the people Of the South
is for the restoration of the civil Government,
and they look upon the policy of President
Johnson as the one which would most clearly
and most surely re-establish it. Thinks it
probable that the Secessionlsts would prefer
not to associate with northern men. Thinks
that generosity and liberality towards the entire
South by the North would be the surest and
speediest means of regainng their good opinion.
Witness does not remember having remarked
to friends in conversation that he was wheed-
led into secession by politicians, but may have
said that the position which the two sections
held towards each other was brought about by
the politicians of the country, that the great
masses of the people, if they understood the real
question, would have avoided it. Witness
believed at the time that it was an unnecessary
condition Of affairs, and nigh have been avoid
ed if fcrbearance and wisdom had been prac-
ticed on both sides In reference 10 the
amendment proposed to the Constitution,
General Lee testified that at present Virginia
would probably accept the smaller representa-
ton rather than allow the negroes to vote. 1t
was his own opinion that at this time the
blacks cannot vote intelligently, and that giving
them tie right Of suffrage would open the door
to good deal of demagogueism, and lead to
endorsements in various ways. Thinks the
masses of the Southern people have no sympa-
thy for schemes Of emigration to Mexico.
Witness thinks that Virginia would be better
off if she could get rid Of the colored popula-
ton That is no new opinion with him. He
has always been in favor Of gradual emancipa-
ton = Washington Star.
Gen. Terry and other officers testify that it
would be unsafe to freedmen and Unionists to
remove the troops from Virginia. The change
of feeling is described by these witnesses to be
due to President Johnson liberal policy
| John Minor Bolts and Colonel Lewis testify
to the remarkable statement that Mr. Lincoln
made remark to Messrs Bolts and Baldwin,
in April, 1861, that he would ovacuate Fort
Sumter If the Virginia convention would ad-
journ sine die.
Mr.. Bolts was asked by the committee
care you perfectly sure, according to your best
recollection, that Mr.. Lincoln told you that he
had made that proposition to Mr.. Baldwin, to
evacuate Fort Sumter on this condition
Mr.. Botts.-''I know it as well [ know you
are standing before me, and that | am answer.
ing your question.
| Mr. Bolts then goes on to say that if Mr.
| Baldwin had fulfilled his duty the Virginia con
vention whould have adjourned: and that the
ordinance of secession would not have beer
passed.