Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-29
have had servants of my own who learned to read


Q. Do they show a capacity to obtain knowledge
of mathematics and the exact sciences
A. have no knowledge on that subject. am
merely acquainted with those who have learned the
common rudments Of education.
Y. General, are you aware Of the existence among
the blacks Of neutrality-suspicious. within the limits
of the State-of combinations having in view the
I full acts ?
| A. am not. Ihaye seen no evidence of it, and
have heard of none. Wherever have been they
have been quiet and Orderly-not disposed to work,
or rather not disposed to any continuous engagement
to work but just very short jobs to provide them
with immediate means of subsistence.
I =. Has the colored race generally as great love
oil money and property the white race possesses
A. do not think il has. The blacks with whom
am acquainted look more to the present time than
TO the future.
q. Does that absence Of lust of money and pro-
perry arise more from the nature of the negro than
from his former servile condition.
A. Well, 1t may be in some measure attributed to
his former condition. They are an amiable, social
race. They like their ease and comfort, and, |
think look more to their present than to their future
condition. .fI.f
Q. In the event of war between the United States
and any foreign power such as England or France,
if there should be held out to the secession portion
of the people of Virginia. tile other recently rebel
States FAR prospect OF gaining their independence
and shaking Off the Government of the United
avail themselves of that opportunity
A. cannot speak with any certainty on that
point do not know how far they might be actu-
ated by Their feelings. ! have nothing whatever to
base an opinion upon. So far rs | know they con-
template nothing of the kind now. What may hap
pen in the future i cannot say.
z. Do you not frequently hear in your intercourse
with secessionists in Virginia expressions of a hope
that such war may break ont
! A. ] cannOtsay that have heard it. On the con-
/ trarv | hpa rIn N do tlpr
you could call them seCeSsiOnists or not, ! mean
those people in Virginia with whom | associate }
express hope that the country may not be led into
| "a war.
.. In such an event, do you not think that that
class of people, whom | call secessionists, would
join the common enemy2
A. 1t is possible 1t depends upon the feelings of
the individual.
Q. If it is fair question: lyon may answer it or
not as you choose) what, in such an event, might
be your own choice?
4. | have no disposition now to do it, and
never have had.
/ q. And you cannot foresee that such would be
your inclination in such an eventl
4. No. can only judge from the past | do
not know what circumstances may produce.
cannot pretend to foresee events. SO far know
the feeling of the people of Virginia, they wish for
peace
Q. During the civil war, was it not contem-
plated by the Government of the Confederacy to
! sbe?
A. | believe it was their wish to do so, if they
could. 1t was their wish to have the Confederate
Government recognized as an Independent govern
ment ] have no doubt that if it could have made
favorable treaties, it would have done so. But
knew nothing of the policy of the Government
had no hand part in it. merely express my
own opinion.
O. The question am about to put to you you may
answer not, as you choose. Did yOu take an oath
| nf itv ar IN
mentl ...
A. I do not recoect having done so, but it is pos
sble that when was commissioned did. do not
recollect whether it was required. lift was required
| took it, or if it had been required ] would have
taken it; but do not recollect whether it was or
not.
BY Mr.. Blow:
O. In reference to to the effect of President john
sons policy, if it were adopted, would thele be any
thing like return of the old feelingl / ask that
because you used the EXPRESSION acquescing IN
the result" ...
A. believe it would take time for the feelings of
the people to be of that cordial nature to the Gov
eminent that they were formerly.
q. Do you think that their preference for that
policy arises from desire TO have peace and good
feeling in the country or from the probability OF
their regaining political power2
A. so far know the desire of the people of the
South il is for the restoration of their civil govern
ment and they look upon the policy of President
johnson as the one which would most clearly and
most surely re-establish il.
z. Do you see any change among the poorer class
in Virginia in reference to industry Are they as
much, or more, interested in developing their mate
rial interests than they We're?
A. have not observed any change. Every one
nowhas to attend to his business for his support.
Q. The poorer classes are generally hard at work,
are theyl
A. So far as know they are; | know nothing to
the contrary.
Q. Is there any difference in their relation to the
coored peoples their prejudice increased or d.
minishedl
the feelings of all the people of Virginia. they are
kind TO the coored people. have never heard any
blame attributed to them TO the present condition
of things, or any responsibility.
Q. There are very few colOred laborers employed,
! supposed
A. Those who own farms have employed, more or
less, one or two. Some are so poor that they have
to work themselves.
q. Can capitalists and workngmen from the North
go into any portion Of Virginia with which you are
familiar and go to work among the peOple2
A. ! do not know anything TO prevent them.-
Their peace and pleasure there would depend very
much on their conduct. If they confined themselves
to their own business, and did not interfere to pro-
woke controversies with their ncghbOrs do not be-
lieve they would be molested.
z. There is no desire to keep out labor and
capital
i. Not that know of. On the contrary, they are
very anxious to get capital into the State.
.. You see nothing of a disposition to prevent
such thmgl
A. have seen nothing, and do not know of any
thing. As said before, the manner in which they
would be received would depend entirely upon the
individuals themselves They might make them
selves obnoxious rs you can understand.
by Mr.. Howard
Q. Is there not general dislike of Northern men
among scceSSOnists !
A. suppose they would prefer not to associate
with them do not know that they would select
them as associates.
Q. DO they avoid and ostracise them sociallyl
A. They might avoid them. They would not Sc
ect them associates unless there was some reason
do not know that they would associate with them
until they become acquainted | think it probable
they would not admit them into their social circles
BY Mr.. Blow:
q. What is the position of the cOored men in Vir.
ginia with reference to the persons they work for;
do you think they would prefer to work for Northern
men or for Southern men!
A. think it very probable that they would prefer
the Northern man, although | have no facts to go
upon. ....
Q. That having been stated very frequently in ref
erence To the cotton States; does it result from
fear of bad treatment on the part of the resident
population, or from the idea they will be fairly
treated by the newcomers What is your observa-
ton in that respect in regard to Virginia
A. have no means of forming opinion | do
not know any such case in Virginia; / know of
numbers of the blacks engaging with their old mas
tiers, and know of q good many who prefer to go
off and look for new homes; whether it is from any
dislike of their former masters or from desire to
change, that they feel more free and independent,
do not know.
q. What is your opinion in regard to the material
interests of Virginia do you think they will be
equal to what they were before the rebellion under
the changed aspect of affairs ,-
\. 1t will take long time for them to reach
their former standard. | think that after some
years they will reach it, and, hope, exceed it; but
it cannot be Immediately, in my opinion.
z. IL will take number of years!
A. 1t will take a number of years, think.
q. On the whole, the condition of things in Vr-
gnia is hopeful both in regard to its material in
terests and the future peace of the countryl
A. have heard great hope expressed, and there
is great cheeriulness and willingness to labor.
.. Suppose that this policy of President Johnson
should be all you anticipate, and that you should
also realize all that you expect in the improvement
of your material interests do you think that the re-
suit of that will be the gradual restoration of the
old feeling?
A. That would be the natural result, think, and
| see no other way in which that result can be
brought about.
.. There is a fear in the public mind that the
friends of the policy in the South adopt it because
they see in it the of reganing the political
position which they lost in the recent contest DO
Won think that that is the main idea with them; or
that they merely look to it, as you say the best
means of restoring civil government, and the peace