The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-31

them, IL necessary, TO acts OF violence which
the blacks might suppose they were perform
ing In their own defence and In their own in
terests, and I'm this way, within some short
time, bring about m open, bloody resistance
on the part OF the black population IL
should say that there would be danger that the
blacks would commit those acts which m op-
pressed people sooner or later commit against
their oppressors.
Q.-Have you any reason TO believe that the
blacks possess arms TO any extent at the pre-
sent timer A / have been told that they do :;
j have received that information from citizens
of Virginia, including State officials, who have
entreated me to take the arms of the blacks
away from them.
Q.-Who We're those officials A-Some
were members OF the. present Legislature ]
have also been asked to do so by public meet
ings held in one of the counties.
Q.-Have you in any case issued orders for
disarming the blacks Al have not.
Q.-The blacks, | suppose, are almost unan-
imously loyal? Al think there is no ques-
ton about that.
Q.-How do the Virginians feel in regard to
the education of the blacks :? A.-There is
great difference of opinion in that respect in
different communities; in some places the peo-
pie approve of it cordially, and many have
taken part in il in other places the reverse
is the case cases have come 10 my knowledge
where persons coming TO teach the blacks were
not permitted 10 rent n place either for a
school or for their own personal occupation,
and il has been reported TO me that teachers
sent 10 teach the blacks have been treated with
great contempt, and In some places threat
eued then, again, in the city of Lynchburg,
for instance, the city authorities cordially en-
tered into the arrangement for teaching the
blacks in connection with the military autho-
rites there is this variation of feeling, and
what is the prevailing feeling l cannot tell.
Q.-What is the political character Of the
present Legislature Of Virginia? A.-Judged
by its actions and by the language used by
many of its members III debate, 1t is not n
loyal Legislature.
q In case of the withdrawal of military
protection from Virginia, what would be the
condition of the loyal people in Virginia and
OF the blacks
Al think they would be in a lamentable
condition Such is the prejudice entertained,
especially against those who were faithful 10
their obligations 10 the Government during the
war that | do not think they would receive
any adequate protection for their rights Of
person or property from the people or from
the courts; and | think that they would be
prosecuted through the machinery OF the
courts as well as privately. Even now, when
military law prevails III the State, and when
military authority is supreme attempts are
made in the courts TO punish tnioniSts for acts
done by them under military authority during
the war and | have been obliged TO interfere
and release from prison men thus prosecuted.
Q.-Has that been of frequent occurrence?
Al have directed the cessation OF proceed
ings in some four or SIX cases OF inns KIND In
some of them the parties had been admitted TO
released those III prison, and III all cases have
taken possession of the indictments and war
rants and when bonds had been given TO the
courts.
Q-Would the TniOnists be safe, so 10
speak, in case of the removal OF the protect
ing troops Al think not, and in that
opinion am supported by, rs L think, the
unanimous feeling of the unioniSts them
selves, which has been frequently, and still
continues TO be, expressed 10 me.
Q.-IIas the liberal policy OF President
Johnson, in granting pardons ana annes ties
TO the rebels, had the effect, III your OPINION,
to increase or decrease the feeling of respect
toward the Government OF the United States
on the part of the pcopl" of Virginia? Al
am unable To trace results to their causes IN
that matter, but since the time when l took
conmand-cspecially since military restraint
has been 50 much relaxed rs ii has been during
the last two or three months-disloyal utter
anccs and disloyal publications have very
much increased they seem 10 have increased
in proportion 10 the relaxation Of military re-
Stralut -,
9 .-Thcncwspapcr known as the Richmond
EurLtjue' has been recently suppressed by IN
order emanating from General Grant! A.
Yes, sir.
o For the uttcrance of dsloyal sentiments
and of language insulting 10 Inonists, and
to the northern section OF the country A.
Yes, sir.
q HAS that paper a large circulation? A
! | do not know its circulation.
q .--Iiow is ii regarded rs on" OF the leadlnS
opponents Of public feeling and opinion III
Virginia? At seems to be an exponent
of the secession feeling.
q .-- Are you acquainted with its publisher
or editor? Al have seen the editor ana
publisher once or twice.
4 Did yOu execute the order OF General
Grant? Al caused ii to BE- executed gave
the order to General Turner, who commands
in Richmond.
. And he executed ii? Ayes.
q Has the order been revoked or modified
in any way? \. 1t has
q BY whose order, 50 far as you know
A.-So far as l know, officially, by General
Grants order.
. Has it been revoked entirely? Alt
has been revoked by order Of General Grant
and rs ! understand, on condition That III
future it will not pursue course Allhlc'l 10
the Government, or to the growth or expires
sion in acts and words, Of Union sentiment Is
among the people OF the States lately III rebel
lion or TO the cultivation Of friendly relations
between the people of those States, or any OF
them and the other States OF the Union; ana
that il will not, in any way, fail, III It's edlto-
rals, correspondence, or transfer OF arllcles
from other newspapers, 10 give support, couh-
tenancc and friendship, to the Onlon ana Ito
supporters.
Q.-Do you think Of nything else yon desire
M