The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-04-04

orally prefer those servants who have
been living with them before. / have
heard them express their preference fol
the men whom they know who had
lived with them before, and their wish
to get them to return to work. ] am
not aware of any combination among
the whites to keep down the wages Of
the blacks. | have heard that in several
counties landowners have met in order
to establish uniform rate of wages,
but never heard of any combination
to keep down wages, or establish rate
which they did not think fair. The
means of paying wages in Virginia are
very limited now, and there is differ
ence Of opinion as to how much each
person is able to pay.
@. How do they feel in regard to the
education of the blacks? Is there a
general willingness or unwillingness to
have them educated ? A. Where 1 have
been the people exhibit willingness
that the blacks should be educated, and
they express an opinion that that would
be better for the blacks and better for
the whites.
@. General, you are very competent
to judge of the capacity of black men
to acquire knowledge. I want your
opinion on that capacity as compared
with the capacity of white men. A. I
do not know that l am particularly
qualified to speak on that subject as you
Soop, 70 ;nfip,oto. hut T do not +b,nL bo
is capable of acquiring knowledge as
the white man is. There are some more
apt than others. 1 have known some to
gain knowledge and skill in their trade
or profession. [ have had servants of
my own who learned to read and write
very well.
@. Do they show capacity to OBJ
tain knowledge of mathematics and
exact sciences A. l have no knowl-
edge on that subject. am merely &C
quainted with those who have learned
the common rudiments of education.
@. General, are you aware of any
combination existing among the blacks
Of Virginia, anywhere in the State, hay
ing in view the disturbance of the peace,
or any improper OF unlawful acts /
am not; | have seen no evidence of it,
and have heard of none; wherever l
have been they have been quiet and or
derby, not disposed to work, or rather
not disposed to any continuous engage
ment to work, but just very short jobs
to provide them with the immediate
means of subsistence.
Q. Has the eolored race generally as
much love for money and property as
the white race? A. l do not think it
has; the blacks whom l know look more
to the present than to the future.
@. Does that absence of lust of
money arise more from the nature of
the negro than from his former servile
condition? A. Well, it may be in some
measure attributed to his former condi-
ton; they are an amiable, social race
they like their ease and comfort, and |
think look more to their present than
their future condition.
Q. In the event of a war between the
United States and any foreign power,
such as England or France, if there
should be held out to the secession por-
ton of the people of Virginia or the
other recently rebel States, fair pros
pect of gaining their independence and
shaking off the Government of the Uni
ted States, is it, or is it not your opin-
ion that they would avail themselves of
that opportunity? A. I cannot speak
with any certainty on that point | do
not know how far they might be actua-
ted by their feelings; l have nothing
whatever to base an opinion upon; so
far as | know, they contemplate moth
ing of the kind now; what may hap
pen in the future cannot say.
Q. Do you not frequently hear, in
your intercourse with secessionists in
Virginia, expressions of hope that
such war may break out? A. / can
not say that l have heard it; on the
contrary, have heard persons q do not
know whether you would call them Sc
cessionists or mott mean those people
III Virginia with whom | associate) ex-
press hope that the country may not
be led into war
Q. In such an event do you think
that class of people whom call seces-
sionists would join the common enemy?
A. 1t is possible-it depends upon
the feeling of the individual
@. fit is fair question (you may
answer it or not as you choose) what,
In such an event, might be your choice?
A. have no disposition now to do il.
and never have had.
@. And you cannot foresee that such
would be your inclination in such an
event? A. No; | can only Judge from
the past; do not know what circum-
stances may produce; I cannot pretend
to foresee events. So far as know. the
wish of the people of Virginia is for
peace.
q. During the war was it not con-
by the Government of the
Confederate States to form an alliance
with some foreign nation if possible p
A. believe it was their wish to do so /:
i was their wish to have the Confeder-
ate Government. have no doubt if it
could. have made favorable treaties it
would have done so; but knew moth
NO of the policy of the Government I
had no hand or part in it; merely
express my own opinion.
@. The question I am about to put
% you, you may answer OF not, as YOU
choose" Did you take an oath of f.
telity or allegiance to the Confederate
Government ?" A. I do not recollect
having done so, but it is possible when