The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-04-03
GENERAL LEES TESTIMONY
BEFORE THE RECONSTRUC-
TION COMMITTEE.

T1ON COMMITTEE.
In the House of Representatives, on
Tuesday, Mr.. Conkling, from the Joint
Committee of Fifteen, reported large
amount of evidence on the condition of
the Southern States. The following is
the testimony of General Robert E.
Lee, who was sworn and examined on
the 18th of February, 1866:
Bv Senator Howard-Where is your
present residence? A. Lexington, Va.
Q. How long have you been in Lex
ington? A Since the 1st of October
last--nearly five months.
O. Are YOU acquainted with the state
of feeling among what we call the Sc
cessionists at present in Virginia to-
wards the Federal Government? A. [
do not know that l am. l have been
living very retired, and have had but
little communication with politicians.
[ know nothing more than from my OBJ
servations and such facts as have come
to my knowledge.
@. What is your opinion, from obser-
vations among the secession people, of
the state of the feeling towards the Gov
ernment. at this time? A. So far as
come to my knowledge, l do not know
of single person who either feels or
contemplates any resistance to the Gov
ernment of the United States, or indeed
anv opposition to. No word has reach
ed me to either purpose.
@. From what you have observed is
it your opinion that they are friendly
towards the Government, and they will
co-operate to sustain and uphold it in
future? A. believe they entirely ac-
quiesce in the Government, and so far
as have heard any one express an
opinion, they are for cooperating with
President johnson in his policy.
@. In his policy in regard to what ?
A. His policy in regard to therestora-
ton OF the whole country. L have heard
persons with whom / have conversed,
express great confidence in the wisdom
of his policy of restoration, and they
seem to look forward to it as hope of
restoration.
Q. How do they feel in regard to that
portion of the people of the United Staes
who have been forward and jealous in
the prosecution of the war against re-
bellion? A. Well, do not know. [
have heard nobody express any
before, I have not had much con-
nection with politicians in the country,
if there are any. Every one seems to
be engaged in his own affairs, and in
endeavoring to restore the civil govern
ment of the State. have heard no
expression of sentiment. towards any
particular portion Of the country.
Q. How do the secessionists feel in
regard to the payment of the Federal
debt? A 1 have never heard any one
speak on the subject. 1 suppose they
must expect to pay the taxes levied by
the Government. / have heard them
speak in reference to the payment Of
taxes, and of their efforts to raise money
therefor, which 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 the
taxes.
Q. From your opinion and knowledge
of the people of Virginia, would they.
if the question was left to them, repu,
diate and reject that debt A. never
heard any one speak on that subject,
but from my knowledge of the people,
I believe that they would be in favor of
payment of just debts.
Q. Do they, in your opinion, regard
that as a just debt? A. I do not know
what their opinion is on the subject. 1
have never heard any opinion expressed,
but L have never heard any opinion ex-
pressed contrary to it. Indeed, as /
said in the beginning, have had very
little discussion or intercourse with the
people. 1 believe the people would pay
the debts they are called on to pay. I