The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-29

| EInIRnS-..IIiS Excuse for Going into
the RebeIlion---He Followed his
State--His! opinion that Jeh. Davis
CouId not be Convicted by, = 9yir-
gInIa Jury. .g.ts.,i .lisl-..i sis,gsE
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1866.
The Joint Committee of Fifteen re-
ported to-day to both Houses of Con-
rress the evidence of Gen. Robert Z.
Lee, of his views on the Southern situ-
alton. the following is n full extract
of all of the important points. On Feb
ruary 18th he was sworn and examined
by Senator Howard as follows:
Question-Where is, your present res
| idence? Answer-Lexington, Va.k
Question-How long haye you been
in Lexington, 7, Answer Since the 1st
of October last, nearly five months
QUESTIONABLE you acquainted with
the state of feeling among what we call
secessionists mt present in Virginia to-
wards the Federal Government? An
swer-I do not know that j am. 1 have
been living very retired and have had
but very little communication with pol
iticians. 1 know nothing more than
from my observations and from such
facts as have come to my knowledge.
Question-What is your opinion,
from observation among the. secession
wards this Government at this time? ?
| Answer-As far as came to my knowl-
edge, I do not know OF single person
who either feels or contemplates any
resistance to the Government of the
United States, or indeed any opposition
to it; no word has reached me as to
either purpose.
Ouestion-From what you have OBJ
served, is it your opinion that they. are
friendly towards the Government. and
will they cooperate to sustain and up
hold it in future7 Answer-I believe
they entirely acquiescel the Govern
ment, and SO far as L have heard any
one express an opinion, they are for CO.
operation with President Johnson in
Question-In his policy in regard to
the restoration of the whole country
AnswerAI have heard persons with
whom 1 have conversed express great
Confidence in the wisdom of his policy
of restoration, and they seem to look
forward to it rs hope of restoration.
GQuestion-How do they feel in regard
to that portion of the people of the Uni
ted States who have been forward and
Jealous in the prosecution of the war
| against the rebellion?
Answer-Well, l do not w;-l
have heard nobody express any opin-
ion in regard to it. As 1 said before, |
have not had much conversation with
politicians in the country, If there are
any. Every one seems to be engaged
in his own affairs, and in endeavor1ng
to. reStoresthe civil government OF the
State. I have heard no expression OF
sentiment towards any particular por-
ton of the country.
Question-How do the secessionists
feel in regard to the payment of the
federal debt. AnswerTT=I have never
heard anyone speak kon the subject. / sup
poesthey must expect to pay the taxes
levied by the government Have heard
them sneak in reference to the payment
of taxes, and their efforts to raise mo-
ney therefor, which i suppose is for
their share of the debt. Ihave 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
their taxes.
Question-From your opinion and
knowledge of the people of Virginia,
would they, if the question was left to
them, repudiate and reject that debt?-
Answer-I never heard any one speak
on that subject, but from my knowl-
edge of the people, i believe that they
would be in favor of the payment of
all just debts.
Question-Do they, in your opinion,
regard that us a just debt? Answer
do not know what their opinion is on
that subject. have never heard any
opinion, expressed !; but / have never
heard any opinion expressed contrary
to It. Indeed, as said in the begin
ming. 1 have had very little discussion
or Intercourse with the people. pc
lieye the people. would pay the debts
thew are called on to pay. 1 say that
from m. v knowledge of the people gen
onestio n-Would they pay that debt
or their portion of it. with as much
alacrityas. people ordinarily pay'their
taxes to the government answer
distinction between the two. The taxes
laid by the government, SO far as
know, they are prepared to pay to the
best Of their ability. ! never heard
them make any distinction.
Question-What is the feeling of the
people of Virginia towards the payment
of the so-called Confederate debt? An
swer-I believer so far as my opinions
40. and 1 have no facts to go upon, they
would be willing TO pay the Confeder-
ate debt, too.
Question-You think they would7
Answer-I. think they wou1dl II they
had the power and ability TO do so. L
have never heard any one in the State
with whom have conyersed speak OF
repudiating any debt. = 4
Question: suppose the Confederate
debt is valueless, even in the market In
Virginia. Answer-Entirely, SO far as
/ know. I believe the people look upon
question on the subject.
Question-Do you recollect when the
Confederate bonds were made payable!
Answer-I have general recollection
that they were made payable six
months after a declaration of peace
Question-Six months after rat1h-
cation of peace between the United
States and the Confederate Govern
ment9 CAnswer4I think they ran that
6uestion-So that the bonds are not
due yet by their terms, I.suPpose9 An
swer-Unless II is considered that there
is peace now, they are not due.
Question-How do the people OIL lr-
Sinia. the secessionists particularly
zeal towards the freedmen? Answer
Every one with whom have associated
expresses kind feelings towards the
freedmen. They wish to see them get
on in the world, and particularly to
take mp some occupation for living,
and to turn their hands to some WORK
L know that efforts have been made
among the farmers near where i live 70
indnce them to engage for the year at
regular wages.
0uestionSDo you think there is any
Willingness on the part of their old mas
| tiers to give them fair wages for their
llabor2 SAnswer-I believe 1t is SO. The
! farmers generally prefer those servants
who have been living with them before.
| I have heard them express their pref
erence for the men whom they know,
who had lived with them before, and
/ their wish togett them to return TO oWork.
am not aware of any combination
among the whites to keep down. tine
wages OF the blacks. Ihaye heard that
| in several counties land owners have
met in order 70 establish Uniform rate
OF wages, but never heard OF any com