Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-15
VOICES FROM ALEXANDRIA.
CHAPTER Q.

y'ctn. 81. 1866.
Question Of what State are you native
haswar. an native of Massachusetts.
=. .Icu long have you resided in Alexan-
4,ia:
T.. for jiree years past have been in the
5,a3o G.; Virginia nine or ten years.
y. What is your occupation?
e. am now assessor Of Internal revenue fol
,.4 third district of Virginia.
y. What counties does your district include
(. alexandria, Fairfax, Prince William,
.ordoun, Clark, Shenandoah, Frederick, War
Ell, and other counties.
!. Iou must be quite we'll acquainted with
ne state OF public feeling in your collection
district?
f.. Holerably well.
-. IS it loyal or friendly to the government
:" he United States?
l.. No, sir, except q very small proportion
sc.lparcd with the population.
;. About what proportion
H. 'ihe original Union men who were favor
ole &c the government from the commence
aent, are about one out of twenty-perharS
:ardy that
j. We're VOC residing in Alexandria during
.ao war?
j.. 70, sir; was residing in Loudoun coun-
-. was taken prisoner by the rebels on the
G8,h OF May, 1861. / was the first prisoner
Glen in Firginia.
9. What effect had the emancipation procla-
nation upon the rebels?
t. They did not think it had any effect at all.
hey did not think it would ever be executed.
.. Did they look upon it as a pleasant pro-
Gee&ins on the part of Mr.. Lincoln?
+. They looked upon it as something that
c3GG not be maintained.
.. - if it was the 'Pope's bull against the
32.letY'
H. yes, sir,
=. low did they like the fact that their slaves
,,3rH al emanclpated?
h.. %ney did rot like it at all. They protest,
* against it to the very last, and some Of them
: tle country now are trying their very best to
nae tle coored men believe they are still
.,2irs that they are not free.
-. Have you ever occupied any other public
2tGt0n than you now hold .?
e. 10, net in Virginia.
=. -ioH do the rebel people feel in regard to
le preservation Of the government of the Uni
&c States are they wiling to pay the taxes
.l2CcSsGry 20 preserve 1t and carry it on?
l.. Il is with great reluctance that they pay
.29ir texes
y. Suppose they had it in their power, would
ley abolish all taxes to pay the national debt?
l.. es, Sir, unanimously so. 90 not think
,here you'd be one dissenting voice among them.
nave heard it repeatedly.
=. Would they consent to contribute their
.}.oDer share to the payment Of thcrebel debt II
:oey had an opportunity.
H. think they would They simply claim
mt they are loyal now from necessity.
-. Suppose that necessity was taken off?
t.. Gr'c illustrate what | believe to be the gen.
3.al feeling among the rebels, will statea CON
tc:sation had with one Of the leading ones the
che: day. lie said TO me- Sir, [ entered into
his thing in good faith | honestly believed it
iG De right. [ now propose to be q loyal man,
% accept the laws Of the United States, and to
@"i.y out all procamations and requirements OF
the President of the United States in good
.Gijh. y said, Suppose we examine the record
22c see. There is one thing you have not done;
.'Gr GG, not open your church on Thanksgiving
tag." lie seemed to be very much agltated
Thea : spoke cbout that, and said, "Why, sir,
60 you think could getuponm my knees and ask
Coo to forgive NE for something which [ be-
FaTeG tc be riglt?'. Said |, THAT is the
Do!rt. :ou aio as big u rebel to-day as you
27ef were. Iou are simply loyal because the
strong er!n o! the government makes you so.
md :hat is the general feeling with ali the lead
;h,i AiSi! l nave cOnFerScu Wlln, auu Hafc
coaTe:set with c great many.
~. las tnere been great destruction OF prop
2%iy IT yorr district during the war?
l.. eS, Sir, very great.
-. What Kind Of property has suffered prin-
ci2slly?
l., agricultural property, live stock, and mill
property.
- dayo YOU evet heard anything said by
Leading men in your neighborhood about for
2'2a VT with tlc United States?
l.. I.0t directly. | have heard it intlmated
!het i such thing should come up, and if
>nc?e !7a3 . possible chance Of their gaining
lAalr independence, they would join any power
&C accomplish chat object.
=: lave you heard that lntlmated very ire
CC2ntE II conversation?
:. .t;ot Eery frequently. They do not int,
HlGte 1t unless you get them rather excited and
warmed up il conversation. They do not like
L, be 3lcGrd saying that, particularly persons
VINO nave taken the oath, because they think
'herc might be some advantage taken Of it.
". Could jury be called in your collection
district which would convict rebel of treason
iGr Iyr making war against the government Of the
Jhlted States?
4 No, sir, it could not, nor could there be
oae selected in the ordinary way to give Union
nan any justice
y What is that owing to?
~, r. % their violent prejudices against Union
!eEs
:, :, You'd they treat men from the free States
= .ne &ima way IN your courts?
=. Aes, sir; think they would.
y oW moW would they treat the freedmen?
-. 4. me freedmen would have no show OF JUS
Ice at eli, rot a particle.
~ ~ 30 they seem to lie Or dislike tho freed
@Aen as such?
1'' 'hey dislike them as such. Up in Lou