Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-04-03

". 10 they show capacity to obtain
knowledge of mathematics and the exact
sciences? A. [ have no knowledge on that
su Jeet.. am merely acquainted with those,
who have learned the common rudiments Of
education: Q. General, are you awareof any
combination existing among the blacks Of
virginia, anywhere in the State, having in
view tue disturbance of the peace, or any i'm
proper and unlawful acts? A. l. am not. I
have seen no evidence of it, and have heard
OF none. Wherever [ have been, they have
been quiet and orderly; not disposed to work,
or rath r not disposed to any continuous en-.
gagement to work. but just very short Jobs to
provide them with the immediate means of
subsistence Q. Has the colored race general
~ as much love for money and property as the
white race! A. do not think it has. The blacks
whom know look more to the present than to
the future. z. Does t: at absence of lust Of
money arise more from the nature ofthe 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 their future condition
Q. In the event of war between the
United States and any foreign power such
as England IF France, if there should be
held out to the secession portion Uf the peo-
pie OF Virginia, or the other recently rebel
States, fair prospect of gaining their in
dependence and shaking off the government
of the United States, is it or is it not your
opinion that they would avail themselves of
that opportunity? A. L cannot speak
with any certainty on that point l do not
know how far they might be actuared by
their feelings. l have nothing whatever to
they contemplate nothing of the kind now.
What may happen in the future | cannot
say. Q. Do you not frequently hear in
your intercourse with secessiouists in Vir>
glnia, expressions Of u hope that such n war
may break out? A. / cannot say that I
have heard it. On the contrary, l have
heard persons q do not know whether YOU
could call them seccssionsts or not, mean
those people i'll Virginia, with whom asso
clate) express hope that the country NAV
not be led into a war. Q. In such an
event. do you not think that the class of
people whom l call secessionists would ioin
the common enemy? \. 1t is possible
1t depends upon the feeling of the indivi
dual. Q. If it is a fair question (vou may
answer 1t or not, as you choose,) what in
such an event, might be your choice? A.
have no disposition now to do it, and |
never have had. Q. And you cannot fore
see that such would be your inclination in
such an event? A. No | can only
judge from the past. 1 do not know what
circumstances may produce l cannot pre-
tend to toresee events. So far as | know.
the wish OF the people OF Virginia is for
peace. Q During the war was it not con-
templated by the government of the Con
tederate States to form an alliance with some
foreign nation, if possible? A l believe
1t was their wish to do SO. It was their
wish to have the Confederate Government
recognized as an Independent government.
L have no doubt i IT. c"nld have made ia
v"rabIc treaties it would have done so. But
knew nothing of the policy, Of the govern
ment. | had no hand or part in it, [
merely express my own opinion. O. The
question | am about to put to you YOU may
answer or not. as you choose. ''Did You
take an oath Of Il lelity or allegiance to the
Confederate government 4. I do not
recollect having done so, but it is possible
when was commissioned | did l do not
recolect whether it was required Fit was
required, l took it, or if it had been required
would have taken it; but l do not recollect
whether it was or not
by Mr.. Blow. @. In reference to the
effect of President Johnson's policy. if it
were adopted would there be anything like
return Of the old feeling? l ask that be-
cause you used the expression, 'sacQuiescing
in the result"
A. l believe it would take time for the
feelings Of the people to be of that cordial
nature to the government that they were
formerly.
Q. Do you think that their preference for
that policy arises from ucsire to have GOOD
feeling aud peace in the country, or from the
probability of their reguining political power?
A. So far as | know the desire Of the peo-
pie of the South, it is for the restoration of
their civil government, and they look upon
thepolicy Of President johnson as the one
which would most clearly aud NEST surely
re. establish it.
T. Do you see any change in reference to
the poorer people OF Virginia as regards in
dustry! are they as much, or. more in.
tcrested i'll developing their material interests
than they were?
y. l have not observed any change.
Every one now has to attend to his business
for his support.
O. The poorer classes are generally hard
at work. are they?
a. SO far us l know, they are; 1 know
nothing of the contrary; have noticed no
change in their relations to the colored peo-
pie; so far as | know, the feelings of al Of
the people OF Virginia are kind to the COL
ored people; have never heard any blame
attributed to them as to the present condi-
ton Of things or any responsibility.
Q. Can capitalists and working men from
the North go into Virginia and 90 to work
among the people?
\. 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 provoke controver-
sizes with their neighbOrs, do not believe
they would be molested; there is no desire
to keep out labor and capital; on the contrary,
they are very anxious to get labor and
rnitnl into tho St.tn. tLo > :,