New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-28

close OF the war; A. know nothing to the contrary;
made several efforts 10 exchange the prisoners ater
the cartel was suspended; do not know to this day
which side took the initiatives; know that there were
constant complaints on both sides; merely know IL
from public r1mor; offered to Gen. Grant, around
Richmond that we should ourselves exchange all the
prisoners in orr hands; There was communication
from the Christian Commission l think when
visit all the prisoners the South; my letter to them
suppose they have; L told them that had not that
authority; that it could only be obtained from the War
Department al Richmond. but that neither they nor
could relieve the suffering Of the prisoners that the
only thing to be done for them was to exchange mem
and to show that 1 would do whatever, was In my
power offered TO send to City Point all the prisoners
in Virginia and North Carolina over which my COM
mand extended provided they returned an equal mum
her OF mne-man for man; reported this to the War
Department and received an answer that they would
place at my command all the prisoners at the South,
the proposed proposition was acoepted hearu hol-
ing on the subject.
o. Has there been any considerable change in the
number OF the negro population in Virginia dnrng ths
last four years. \. suppose 1t has diminished Dut
do not know.
O. Diminished In consequence of more negroes going
South than was made up by the natural increaset A.
My general opinion Is that the NUMBER mas cnDlsheu
and for the reason you gave.
q. Do You suppose that the masses OF the negroes III
Virginia at the present time are able to worki that
there are not many helpless ones among themt a.
There helpless ones certainly, but don't kho" 10
what extent .
o. What is your opinion about its being an advantage
/
think that Virginia would be better off If the coo1ed
population to go to Alabama, Louisiana; and the
other Southern States, A. think it would be better
for Virginia If she could get rid of them that is no new
opinion with me- have always thought so, ana nave
always been IN favor Of emancipaton-sradua enahei'
patton
O. As question labor alone, do you not think that
the labor which would flow ato Virginia II the negroes
leave il for the Cotton States would be more advant
ageous 10 the State and to its future prosperity y.
think il would be for tho benefit Of Virginia and
believe that everybody there would be willing to do It.
o. DO you not think that the State Of Virginia is alb
soutely injured and its future impaired by the pres
ence of the black population there A. think 1t Is.
q And do you not think II Is peculiarly adapted 10
the quality OF the labor which would flow INTO H. from
its great national resources IN case IL was made moro
attractive by the absence Of the coored race ~ no.
OTHER TESTIMONY.
Among the important Of the witnesses examined
In relation 10 Virginia, were Judge Underwood, VINO
has been elected United States Senator from that State
Dut has not yet been admitted TO a seat Mr. Lewis
Mckenzie, In the same position as regards
the House of Representatives, Gen; Turner
commanding the post ut Richmond. Maor-Gen.
Terry In command Of the Department and
Col Orlando Brown, Assistant Commissioner OF Freed
mems bureau stationed at Richmond: half a dozen
Virginia 10y aliss including John Minor Bolts, Charles
d. Gray OF Augusta County John +. Lewis Of Rocking
ham County and his brother. Charles ii. Lesis me
late Secretary Of the Common wealth. Gen Robert b.
Lee OF the Rebel Army and Brig. Gen NJ. d. Corse OF
The same; five members OF the virginia Legislature
namely: John h. Baldwin, Speaker Of the House OF
Delegates; VIM. 7. JOynes, Chairman of the judiciary
Committee and L. T. Grattan, with Dale Carter and
+. +. Keen. members Of the State Senate-the latter
formerly Colonel in the Rebel Army. the Rev. DR..
McAiuTdy Rector II Christ Church. Alexandra, Va
the Rev. james ". Hniunaui Of Fredericksburg. seven
coiorod men, including minister. doctor, and den
list who Is also Baptist Missionary, were examined.
The testimony OF The members Of the Nrginia
gentlemen who had come rs delegation 10
President Johnson was equally important aud inter
eating. They concur In opinion as 10 the complete ab
with the Government. The question Of coercion they
SAY. settled BY the sword and the people are con
ent 20 abide by the decision and 10 live henceforth
faithful citizens of the Rcpnbc They represent the
feeling Of the people al large and Of themselves rs IN
al.eraby opposed Ia the idea ~ extending political
rights % negroes while o. civil rights the Legisa
ture engaged In removing most # not oil the Oh.
noX0qs discrimination IN law between whites ana
blacks.
ON the test question Of the which virginians
would take Ia Of war between The United states
and any foreign power. which might afford the south
promise Of establishing their independence their tesii-
mony decidedly on The side OF loyalty. On the
other hand the United states officers Gems Terry and
Turner aud Col Brown. and most II not all, Of the IN
qualified Union men concur IN representing the senii
ents ~ ID. people 81 Virginia IN relation To the Gov
eminent a. unnproyed and ms rather having become
embi'fered since Lees surrender. They say nj that
time the people were humble sick Of war. longing for
D. ace on any terms and ready 10 accept gratefully the
pardon Of the Government ana "a submit 10 an! cohd
ons tha. might be made. while now they are arrogant
eYactug and intOoTant Most OF tho witnesses Of that
class the decided opinion that The withdrawal OF
tie Federal troops and Of The freedmens bureau would
uoniss and the prescription and remission 10 slavery
Of the coored people The change Of feeling Is very
generally ascIibed by these witnesses TO the Presi
dents liberal policy. In regard to the Federal
debt the people Of Virginia are represented as
10 favor Of its reputation. or at least Of
conhnng with IL tho Confederate debt The witnesses
who have been connected with the Confcdoracy, how
ever deny this and represent the people rs willing 10
pay their share Of the Federal debt by taxation. On
this subject Gen Lees opinion Is that they are willing
10 pay both and are opposed TO reputation Of either.
Outside of these matters OF general inquiry there u
one hstori al episode connected with tie secession of
Virginia and the outbreak Of the Rebellion, on which
the testimony of three witnesses was taken. This was
conference sought for and held by Mr.. Lincoln with
member of the Virginia Secession Convention. dele
gated by the Union members OF that body Mr. John H.
BALDWIN prior the opening Of the Rebel batteries on
Fort sumter The fret statement on the subject came
from Mr. John r. Lewis an Incorporating Union
man all through the war; and who had been himself
member of the Virginia Convention. lie testified that
on the evening Of the 10th Of April et visited John
Minor Bolts 10 Richmond aud learned from him that
Mr. Lincoln had Informed him that he had had an inter
view with John II. Baldwin.
Judge Summers. for whom special messenger had
been sent not having been able to go TO Washington,
the Union members having delegated Mr.. Baldwin.
and had made proposition that If tho Virginia Con
yention wond adjourn sine die, without passing an
ordinance Of secession he Mr. Lincoln. weud take the
sumter Col Baldwin refused TO acccde to the PROPOSE
tion and did not communicate 1t 10 the Convention
Next morning after hearing this statement Mr. Lewis
prevailed on Mr. Baldwin to accompany HIM TO the
house OF Mr. Bolts who repeated the statement made To
him by Mr. Lincoln and asked him how In the name
OF cd he could take the responsibility OF withdrawing
the knowledge Of such interview from the Conven.
tion. Mr. Baldwin looked at his watch and replied
thai IL was then near the hour for the meeting OF the
Conventions that had to be there and that he would
see him (BOtts) again.
The narrative OF the same transaction given by Mr..
Baldwin Is this:
After relating the circumstances Of special mes
sengcr being sent TO Richmond by Mr. Seward. with a
request that Judge Summers or some other leading
member should come to Washington TO have confer
ence with Mr. Lncon 81 his (Mr. Baldwin's) being
sent and accompanying the member 10 Washington the
same night; OF his being introduced next morning by