Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-04-10
General Lees Testimony Before the Recon
StructiOn Committee.

Struct1On Committee
In the House of Representatives on Tuesday
week, Mr.. Conkling, from the Joint Committee
of Fifteen reported large amount of evidence
on the condition of the Southern States The
following is the testimony Of General Robert E.
Lee, who was sworn and examined on the 18th
of February, 1866:
By Senator Howard Where is your present
residence?
A. Lexington, Va.
Q. Howslong have you been in Lexington?
A. Since the 1st Of October last-nearly five
months.
@. Are you acquainted with the state of feel
ing among what we call the secessionists at
present in Virginia towards the Federal Gov
eminent?
A. [ do not know that I am I have been
living very retired, and have had but little COM
munication with politicians. l know nothing
more than from my observations and such facts
as have come to my knowledge
y. What IS your opinion, from observation
among the secession people, of the state of the
feeling towards this Government, at this time :?
A. So far as comes to my knowledge, [ do not
know OF single person who either feels or con-
templates any resistance to the Government of
the United States, or indeed any opposition to
Z. From what you have observed is it your
opinion that they are friendly towards the Gov
ernment, and that they will cooperate to sustain
and uphold it in future?
A. believe they entirely acquiesce in the
Government, and so far as [ have heard any
one express an opinion, they are for co-opera-
ting with President johnson in his policy.
q. In his policy in regard to what?
A. His policy in regard to the restoration Of
the whole country. l have heard persons with
whom have conversed, express great confidence
in the wisdom of his policy Of restoration, and
they seem to look forward to it as hope of res
toration.
@. How do they feel in regard to that Dor
ton Of the people of the United States who have
been forward and jealous in the prosecution of
the war against rebellion?
A. Well, do not know I have heard no
body express any opinion In regard to it. AS
said BEFORE | have not had much connection
with politicians in the country, if there are any.
Every one seems to be engaged in his own af-
fairs and in endeavoring to restore the civil gov
ernment of the State. Ihave heard no express
sion Of sentiment towards any particular portion
Of the country.
O. How do the secessionists feel in regard to
the payment Of the Federal debt?
A. have never heard any one speak on the
subject. [ 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.
l have never heard any one speak in opposition
to the payment of taxes or of resistance to their
payment Their whole effort has been to try
and raise money to pay the taxes.
Z. From your opinion and knowledge OF the
people of Virginia, would they, if the question
was left to them, repudiate and reject that debt
A. l never heard any one speak on that sub
ject, but from my knowledge of the people, |
believe that they would be in favor of payment
Of all just debts
O.. Do they, in your opinion, regard that as
as a just debt?
A. | do not know what their opinion is on
the subject. | have never heard any opinion
expressed, but / have never heard any opinion
expressed contrary to it. Indeed, as said in
the beginning, have had very little discussion
or intercourse with the people. [ believe the
people would pay the debts they are called on
to pay. ] say that from my knowledge of the
people generally.
Q. Would they pay that debt, or their por-
tion Of it, with as much alacrity as people ordi-
nariy pay their taxes to their Government?
A. do not know that they would make any
distinction between the two. The taxes levied
by the Government, so far as I know, they are
prepared to pay to the best of their ability I
never heard them make any distinction.