The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-03-29
ITIsVIR GIN Ia.
The Loyalty Of the State.
TESTIMONY OF GEN, LEE.
The Position of the South in Case
of a Foreign War.
President Johnson's Policy Would
Restore Good Feeling an the south.
WASHINGTON, March q, 1866.

| lIth he was sworn anu oAdlniueu ny oeu-
ator Howard as follows:
Question-Where is your present resi-
dence? Answer-Lexington, Va.
Question-How long have you been in
Lexington Answer-since the first of
October last, nearly FIVE months.
QUESTIONABLE you acquainted with
the state of feeling among what we call
secessionists at present in Virginia to-
wards the Federal Government Aa-
swer-I do not know that am. have
been living very retired and have had
but little communication with politi-
clans. know nothing more than from
my observations and from such facts as
have come to my knowledge.
Question-What is your opinion, from
observation among the secession people
of that State, of the feeling towards
this Government at this time ? Answer
SO far as came to my knowledge, do
not know OF single person who either
feels or contemplates any resistance to
the Government of the United States or
indeed any opposition to it; no word has
reached me as to either purpose
Question-From what you have ob
served, is it your opinion that they are
friendly towards the Government, and
| will they cooperate to sustain and up
hold it in future? Answer believe
they entirely acquiesce in the Govern
ment, and so far as have heard any one
express an opinion, they are tor CO.
| operation with President johnson in his
policy
Question-In his policy in regard to
the restoration of the whole country
Answer-I have heard persons with
whom | have conversed express great
confidence in the wisdom of his policy of
restoration, and they seem to look for
warp to it as hope of restoration
Question-How do they feel in regard
to that portion of the people of the
United States who have been forward
and Jealous in the prosecution of the
war against the rebellion Answer
Well do not know; | have heard no.
it. As I said before, / have not had
much conversation with politicians in
the country, if there are any. Every
one seems to be engaged in his own at
fairs and in endeavOring to restore the
civil government of the State. have
heard no expression towards any partc-
| ular portion OF the country.
Question-How do the secessionists
feel in regard to the payment of the fed
eral debt9 Answer-I have never heard
any one speak on the subject suppose
they must expect to pay the taxes lev
led by the Government Have heard
them speak in reference to the payment
of taxes and their efforts to raise money
therefor, which l suppose is for their
share of the debt / have never heard
any one speak in opposition to the pay
ment of taxes or of resistance to their
payment Their whole effort has been
to try and raise money to pay their
taxes
Question - From your opinion aud
knowledge Of the people OF Virginia,
would they, if the question was left ia
them, repudiate and reject that debt
Ausyer-I never heard any one speak on
that subject, but from my knowledge OF
the people, believe that they would be
in favor OF the payment of ali Just debts
Ouestion-Do they, in your opinion
regard that as a Just debt Answer
do not know what their opinion is on
tha. subject I have never heard any
opinion expressed; but / have never
heard any opinion expressed contrary tc
i. Indeed, as | said in the beginning
have had very little discussion or inter
course with the people | believe tbe
people would pay the debts they are
called on to pay. say that from nay
knowledge of the people generally
Questi0n-Would they pay that debt
or their portion oft, with as much alac
rity as people ordinarily pay their taxes
to the eovernment} Answer-I do not
know that they would make any distinc
ton between the two The taxes laid
by the government, SO far as | know
they are prepared TO pay to the best OF
their ability never heard them make
any distinction
0uestion-What is the feeling of the
people of Virginia towards the payment
of the so-called Confederate debt2 Au
swer-I believe, so TAR as my opinions go
aud have no facts to 60 upon, the.
would be willing to pay the Confederate
debt too.
Question-You think they would
Answer think they would, if they hat
| the power and ability to do so. hav
never heard any one in the State, will
whom have conversed, speak OF repudi
ating any debt.
Question: suppose the Confederate
) debt is valueless, even in the market II
Virginia 2 Answer-Entirely so far as
= know. believe the people look upon i
as lost entirely. Inever heard any ques
tion on the subject.
: Question-Do you recolleCt when tn
Confederate bonds were made payable
Answer-I have general recollection
that they were made payable six month
after a declaration of peace.
, Question-Six months after the ratiti
cation of peace between the Unite
States and the Confederate Government
Ausver-I think they ran that way.
; Ouestion--So that the bonds are no
), due yet by their terms, l supposef An
: swer-Unless it is considered that ther
is peace now, they are not due.
Question-How do the people OF III
ginia, the secessionists particularly, fee
towards the freedmen2 Auswer-Ever
one with whom l have associated e,
presses kind feelings towards the freet
men. They wish to see them get on i
5 the world, and particularly to take u
It some occupation for living, and to tur
their hands to some work. know tha
efforts have been made among the farm
ers where l live to induce them to el
gage by the year at regular wages.
0uestion-Do you think there is wi