The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-27

Il has frequently been represented w the
friends and admirers OF Robert r. Lee late an
officer Of the Rebel army, that, although a slave
holder, his treatment of his chaitels was invari-
bly, kind and humane. The subjoined statement,
taken from the lips Of one of his former slaves,
explains itself. Its publication will doubtless
greatly enhance the reputation OF this great
and good man" among the chivalry of the South
and the Copperheadso OF the North;--
MY name is Wesley Norris; was born slave on
the plantation of George w. Parke Custis; after the
death OF Mr.. Gusts. General Lee, who had been made
executor OF the ate assumed control of the slaves
in number about seventy; it the general impress
SION among the slaves oil MIR. Cusis that on his death
they shOudbe oreveriree in fact tins statement had
been made to them by Mr. Gusts years beiore at nis
death we were informed by General Lee that by the
conditions Of the win we must remain slaves for five
years; remained with General Lee about seventeen
months, when my sister Mary, cousin Of ours,
and i determined to away, VIII Oh we did in
the year 1853; had already reached Westminster,
in Maryland, on our way 10 the North, when we
were apprehended and thrown In prison, ana General
Lee notified of our arrest; we renamed in prison
fifteen days, when we were sent back to Arlington;
we were Immediately taken before General Lee, who
Commanded the reason why we ran away we Irnnkly
told him that coDsIdered onrselve free; he then
told us he would teach us a lesson which we never
would forget he then ordered us to the barn where
IN his presence, we were tied firmly ~ posts BY Br.
McGwin, our overseer, who was ordered by Gen. Lee
to strip us to the waist and give fifty lashes each,
excepting my sister, who received but twenty; we
were accordingly stripped TO the skin by the
decline whipping us; accordingly Dick Williams,
county constable, was called in, who gave us the
number OF lashes ordered; General Lee, the
meantime, stood by, and frequently enjOined Will
liams TO clay 1t on well" Injunction which he old
not fa1 to eed not satisfied with simply lace rating
naked flesh. General Lee then ordered the over.
seer to thoroughly wash our backs with brine, which
was done; alter this my cousin ana myself sent
to Hanover Court-House jail, my sister being sent
Richmond to an agent to be hired; we renamed in
jail about week when we were sent to Nelson
county, where we were hired out by General Lees
agent to work on theOange and Alexandria Railroad;
remained thus employed Tor about seven months
and were then sent to Alabama, and put to work on
what is known as the Northeastern Railroad; in
January, 1868, we were sent to Richmond, from
which place finally made my escape through the
Rebel lines to 1Ieedom; l have nothing further to
say; what have stated Is true in every particular,
and can at any time bring at least dozen wItnes-
ses, both white and black to substantiate my state
ment; am at present employed by the Govern
ment and am at work IN the National Cemetery on
Arlington Heights, where can be found by those
who desire further particulars; my sister erred to
is at present employed by the French Minister at
Washington, and will confirm my statement.