Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-15
The Virginia legislative Delegation he.
fore the Committee on Reconciliation. II
From the Richmond Dispat

FROM the RlchmOnd Dlsratch.l
After the interview W with President johnson
and the committee, a formal summons, signed
by Mr.. Fessenden, Chairman of the United
States Committee on Reconstruction, was
served upon all the members OF the Virginia
committee except Mr.. Pendleton, by the Ser
geant- at Arms.
The summons cited the authority OF that com.
mittee 10 call before them persons and papers,
and the members of the Virginia committee ac.
cordingly waited upon Mr.. Fessenden. Hr.
Marshall was detained by sickness, and by M
other cause.
Mr.. Fessenden informed the Virginia com.
mittee that the matter had been referred 20 4
subcommittee of three, of which Mr Howard
was chairman. The con- mittee thereupop went
10 the Committee-room and TIet Mr. Howard
Mr.. Dale Carter asked to be examined frst.
which was agreed TO. His testimony was ri ven
in private room, after which he left MI.
Joynes was next examined separately. Mr
Gray left the committee, and was not examined
After the examination of Mr.. Joynes the fur
ther proceedings were carried on in the same
room. There were present Mr.. Baldwin, Mr.
Keen, Mr.. Grattan and Mr.. Joynes.
Mr.. Grattan, on being asked whether a Jury
eould be found in Virginia who would find
Jefferson Davis guilty Of treason, said no: but
3fterward qualified the remark by saving that
as Richmond had always contained a large
number of Union men, such a Jury might Sc
foHnd. When MIR. Grattan gave this opinion
before qualifying il as above, Mr. Joynes ro<e
and said ne differed in opinion with him No
other member of the committee spoke Subse-
qnenuy Mr. BALDWIN said, during his examin-
alton, IN answer TO the same question, that
ninety-nine Nirginians out of every hundred
mad agreed with Mr.. Davis In opposing the
Federal Government; that their cause had
been his cause; and that il would conseouent-
ly be painful thing to give such a verdict
but that, a. men OF honor, under Instruction
from the Court, they would give a verdict in
accordance with their oath as jurors, however
painful it might be.
Mr. Baldwin was further interrogaied AZ 70
MS interview with Mr. Lincoln in April, 1891,
and answered as follows That he had pri-
yate interview with Mr.. Lincoln and that they
had talked freely concerning the state OF the
country. Mr.. Lincoln ASKED why the Viz
ginia convention did not adjourn. His reply
was that, although there was Union masor-
Ity in the convention, they would not ad diourn
while ignorant of the plans for the adjustment
OF our sectional difficulties. He had also said
that If he had Mr.. Lincoln's power he could
settle the disaffection in fifteen minutes
by Withdrawing the troops from Sumter
of all the States. Mr.. Lincoln had replied
that he would 90 this. Mr.. Howard said
that he felt certain that Mr.. Lincoln never had
promised to withdraw the troops from Sumter
as an inducement % the Virginia Convention
TO adjourn. for he would have been swept from
his seat by the indignant people OF the North.
Mr.. Baldwin replied that his memory was
good, and that such was his impression; but
that as he was alone with Mr. Lincoln on that
occasion, and there was no one now 70 rebuff
his testimony, he would not give IL as any.
thing more than an impression left upon his
mind.
The proceedings, although formal were
marked by good temper and cordiality, and the
Virginia committee and the sub-cornmittee en-
reconstruction separated with reciprocal kind.
ness and courtesy.