Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-04-11
Gen. Lees Testimony.

:, On the 18th of February last, Geu. Robert
E. Lee appeared before tAe Reconstructlon
Com lnittco Of Congress. As a matter OF iii-
terest, We publish the examination IN iuii;
BY Senator uoward-Where Is your pre-
sent residence? Answer. Lexington, Vir'
ginia. Question:. How long have you been
ia LeXngtou2 4. Since the first VI Octc'
Der last; nearly tive months. Z. ARE you
acquainted with the state of feeling among
what We cali SeceSsionistS, ut present. III
Virginia. toward the Federal Government !?
A. | do not know that am. | have been
living very retired, and have had but little
lmmunicalion With politicians. lhnow moth
ing more ,han from my observations and from
SUCH facts as Lave comeato my know edgc,
Q. Mhat is your opinion, from observatlon,
among the secession people OF that State, oi
the feeling towards this Government at This
time. A. So Tar as came to my knowleoge,
do not know OF single person Who either
contemplates any resistance to the Govern
ment OF the United States, or, indeed, any
opposition 10 it. No word has reached lie
OF either purpose. @. From what You have
observed, is it yosys opinion that they are
friendly towards tfes Government, aud that
they will cooperate to sustain and uphold it
in the future? A. | believe they entirely
acuuiesce in the Government, and, so lar as /
hav, heard any one express an opinion, they
are for cooperating with President johnson
in his Policy. Q. In his policy in regard to
what? a. His policy in regard to the rcslo-
ration of the whole couu;ry. l have heard
persons with whom | have conyer-ed, ex-
press great confidence in the wisdom OF Lis
policy of restoration, and;sAey seem to look
forward to it as a hope 6fsFestora,ion. Q.
How do they feel in regard TO that portion OF
the people of the United States who have
been forward and Jealous in the prosecution
of the war againet rebellion? A. Well, l do
not fnow. have heard nobody express any
opinion in regard to it. As SAID before, L
have not had much communication with poll.
ticians in. the country, if here are auy. Eve.
ry one seems to be engaged in his own affairs,
and in eudeavoring to restore the civil Gov
ernment of the States. have heard no eX'
preston of sentiment towards any particular
portion Of the country. Q. How do the
secessioaists feel in regard TO the payment OF
the Federal debt? A. / have never heard
any one speak on the subject. l suppose
they must expect to pay the taxes levied by
the Government. have heard them speak
in reference to the payment of taxes, and OF
their efforts to raise money therefor, which
suppose is for their share of the debt.
have never heard any one speak il opposition
to the payment of taxes CT of resistance to
their payment their whole effort has been
to try and raise money to pay the taxes. q
From your opinion and knowle lge of the
people OF Virginia, would they, if the cues
ton was left 10 them, repudiate and reject
that debt? a. l never heard any one speak
on that subject, but from my knowledge oi
the people, / believe that they would be in
favor OF the payment Of all just debts. @
| Do they, in your opinion, regard that as o
lust debt? A. do not know what their
opinion is on that subject. 1 have never
heard any opinion expressed contrary to it
Indeed, as aeid in the beginning, l have
had very little discussion orintercourse with
the people. I believe the people would pay
the debts they are called on to pay. | say
that from my knowledge Of the people gene
rally. @. Would they pay that debt, or theil
portion of it, with as much alacri;y as people
ordinarily pay their taxes to their Govern
| ment? A. I do not know that they would
make any distinction between the two. Tho
taxes laid by the Government, SO far as
know, they are prepared to pay 10 the test
of their ability. | never heard them make
any distinction. Q. What is the feeling Of
the people cf Virginia towards the payment
OF the so-caled Confederate debt? a.
believe, so far as my opinions go-and | havt
no facts to o upon-they would be willing
to pay that, 100. Q. You think they would
A. | think they would, if tLey had the
power and, ability to do 50. / have never
heard any one in the State with whom have
conversed speak Of repudiating sny debt. Q
I suppose the Confederate debt is vaiucltss
even IN the market III Virginia? A. En-
tirely, so far as know believe the people
look upon it rs lost entirely. / never heatt
any question on tho subject. O. DO yot
recollect when the Confederate bond: were
made payable? A. have general recol
lection that they were made payable 81,
months alter declaration Of peace. @. ST,
months after q ratification OF peace between
the United States and the Confederate Gov
ernmeut2 A. think they ran that way
@. SD that the bonds are not due yet b,
their ternls2 A. suppose, unless it is con
S dered that there is peace Low, they are no
due. O.. How do tie people ofphe Stale 0
Virginia, the secessioiis's particularly, fee
towards the freedmen? A. Every Que viii
4 whom haye.associsned expresses kud feel
4fhsiitswards the: areaHliirn. They wish I,
see them get on in the world, particularly t.
take some occupation for living, and to turl
a. 4