Des Arc citizen., 1866-04-14

their terms A. suppose unless it is con
 sidered that there is peace now they are not due. ,, . 8
 O. How do the people of Virginia, the .se-, cessionisis particularly, feel towards the freed men ? A. Every one with whom I have as- sociated express kind feelings towards the freedmen. They wish to see them get on in the world, and particularly 10 take up some occupation for . living, and to turn their hands to some work. know that efforts have been made among the farmers near where I live to induce them to engage for the year at regular wages. m sas .s ;sas.5qs l 70. Do you think there is willingness on the part of their former masters to give them. fair wages for their labor? A. believe. il is so. The farmers generally prefer those. servants who have lived with Lem before. l have heard them express their preference for. the men whom they knolT, who had lived with them before, and their wish to get them to re turn to work am not aware of any combi- nation among the whites to keep down the wages of the blacks. have heard that in sew eral counties tLe land owners have met in or der to establish a uniform rate of wages. but never heard of any combination to keep down wages or establish 2 rate which they did not think fair. Ihe means of paying wages in Virginia are very limited now, and there is q difference of opinion as to hoW rnuch each per son is able topay. dssl N sasss s6 s
 0. How do they feel in regard to the cdu7 i .ft ti,r ;- o1 ,f,1- lingness or unwilingneas to have them educa- ted ?5i A. Where have been tLe people have exhibited q willingness that the blacks should be educated, and they express an opinion that it would be better for the blacks and whites.
 0. General, you are very competent to judge of the capacity of black men to acquire knowledge; Iwant your opinion in that capac- ity as compared with the capacity of white l men? "A. I do not know that am particu- larly qualified to speak on that subject. as you seem to intimate but I do not think he is as capable of acquiring knowledge as the white man is. There are some more apt than others i I have known some to gain knowledge and skill in their trades or professions. have
 
 and write very well. .sfj ae mtft
 0. Do they show a capacity to obtain a knowledge of mathematics and the exact sci ences? f A. I have no knowledge on that subject. oI am merely acquainted with those who have learned the common rudiments of education. foaa vlH2ii 3gf 8 9 3 O. General, are you aware of any combina- ton among the blacks of ofVirginia, anywhere in the State having inlview the disturbance of the peace, or any improper or unlawful act2 A. am not. have seen no evidence of it., and have heard of none, Wherever have been they have been quiet and orderly, butnot disposed to work, or rather not disposed to any continuous engagementto work, but just l short jobs, to provide them with the immedi- ate means of subsistence, m laas 4ag5a Is O. Has the colered race generally as much I love for money and property as the white 4 raee? A. II do not think it has. The blacks whom I know look more to the present than I O. Does that absence of lust for money arise more from the nature of tho negro thap ! " be in some measure attributed to his former condition They are an amiable race; they like their ease and comfort, and think look more to their present than their future con dition. g ssaQatfka nj ,ifa 8ss .af e.. In the event of war between the United States andnny foreign country, such as England or France, if there should be held out to the secession portion of the people ot Virginia, or the other recently rebellious States, an after prospect of gaining their in- dependence and striking off the Government of the United States, is it or is not your opin- Ilion that they would avail themselves of that Eopportunity A. cannot speak with any bcertainty on that point. l do not know how far they might be actuated by their feelings. | have nothing whatever to base an opinion upon. So far as l know they contemplate Ilnothing of the kind now, What may happen in the future cannot say gH ssEf srea O. Do you not frequently hear, in your. in- tercourse with secessionists in Virginia, ex- \ pressions of a hope that such a war may break out? A.. Icannot say that 1 have heard it. On tEe contrary, have heard persons,rl do not know whether you call them seeessionists or not-I mean those people in Virginia with whom 1 associate-express hope that the country may not be led into war.
 ko O., In such an event, do you not think that class ofpeople whom call seeessionists would join the common enemy? A. It is possible It depends upon the feelings ofthe individual
 O.. fit is. 2 fair question-you may an swer itor not, as you choose-what in such an event might he your own choice? A.. have no disposition now to do it, and have never cad. Vi hssrj
 o You can't foresee that such would Dc your inclination in such an event? A. No can only judge from the past. l don't know what circumstances may produce. cannot