The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-01
Gss. Lees Testimony.

bert E. Lee appeared before the Recon-
struction Committee of Congress. AS q
matter of interest, we publish the exami-
nation in full:
By Senator Howard-Where is your pre-
sent residence? Answer. Lexington, Vir-
ginia. Question. How long have YOU
been in Lexington? A. Since the first Of
October last; nearly five months. @. Arc
you acquainted with the state of feeling
among what we call Secessionists. at
present. in Virginia, toward the Federal
government? A. do not know that am.
have been living very retired, and have
had BIZ. little communication with politi-
clans. know nothing more than from nv
observations and from such facts as have
come to my knowledge. Q. What is your
opinion, from observation, among the Sc
cession people of that State, Of the feeling
towards this Government at this time.
A. So far as came to my knowledge, do
not know of a single person who either
feels or contemplates any resistance to the
Government of the United States, or, in
deed, any opposition to it. No word has
reached me OF either purpose. O. From
whatyou have observed, is it your opinion
that they are friendly towards the Co
vernment, and that they Will cooperate to
sustain and uphold it in the future? A.
believe they entirely acquesce in the Co.
ve1nment, and, so far as have heard any
one express an opinion, they are for CO.
operating 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. I have heard per-
sons with whom have conversed, express
great confidence in the wisdom of his DO
hcy OF restoration, and they seem to look
forward to it as hope Of restoration. @.
How do they feel in regard to that portion
of the people Of the United States who have
been forward and jealous in the prosecu-
ton the war against rebellion? A. Well,
1 do not know. I have heard nobody ex-
press any opinion in regard to it. AS
said before, have not had much commu-
nication with politicians in the country, if
there are any. Every one seems to be en-
gagged in his own affairs, and in endeavor-
ing to restore the civil Government of the
State. l have heard no expression of SEN
tIment towards any particular portion of
the country, Q. How do the secessionists
feel In regard to the payment of the Fede-
raj debt? A: have never heard any one
speak on the subject. I suppose they
must expect to pay the taxes levied bv the
Government. 1 have heard them speak in
reference to the payment of taxes, and of
their efforts to raise money therefor,
which l 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. Q. From your opinion and
knowledge Of the people OF Virginia, would
they, if the question was left to them, re-
pudiaate and reject that debt? A. never
heard any. one spcai on that subject, but
from my knowledge of the people, be-
lieve that they would be in favor of the
payment of all just debts. @. Do they, in
your opinion, regard that as just debt?
A. do not know what their opinion is on
that subject. I have never heard any OPT
Mon expressed contrary to it. Indeed, as
said In the beginning, l 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 portion Of it, with as much alacrity as
people ordinarily y pay, their taxes to their
Government? A. do not know that they
would make any distinction between the
two. The taxes laid by the Government,
so Tar as know, they are prepared to pay to
the best OF their ability. Inever heard them
make any distinction. @. What is the feel
ing OF the people of Virginia towards the
payment OF the so-called Confederate debt?
A: believe, 80 far as my opinions go-and
have no facts to go upon-they would be
Wiling to pay that, too. Q. You think they
would? A. 1 think they would, if they had
the power and ability to do so. I have never
heard any one in the State with whom
have conversea speak Of repudiating any
debt. @. l suppose the Confederate debt
is valueIess, even in the market in Vir-
ginia? A. Entirely, so far as I know. I
believe the people look upon it as lost en-
tlrely. never heard any question on the
subject. Q. Do you recollect when the
Confederate bonds were made payable :?
A. have general recollection that they
were made payable six months after de-
claration Of peace. @. Six months after d
ratification Of peace between the United
States and the Confederate Government ?
A. think they ran that way. @. So that
the bonds are not due yet by their terms
A. suppose, unless it is considered that
there is peace now, they are not due. O.
How do the people of the State of Virgi-
| MIA, the secessionists particularly, feel to-
wards the freedmen? A. Every one with
whom l have associated expresses kind
feelings towards the freedmen. They wish
to see them get on in the world, particu-
larly to take up some occupation for iv-
ing, and to turn their hands to some work.
know that efforts have been made among
the farmers, near where live, to induce
them to engage for the year at regular
ness on the part Of their old masters to
give them fair wages for their labor? A.
I believe it is so. The farmers generally
prefer those servants who have been livin e
with them before. have heard them ex-
press their preference for the men whom
they knew, who had lived with them be-
fore, and their wish to get them to return
to work. l am not aware OF any combina-
tion among the whites to keep down the
wages Of the blacks. have heard that, in
several Countess landowners have met, in