Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-29

that have prevented the breaking out of civil war;
A. | think it would for the reason that, although
| the Democracy which never meant to he satisfied
with anything but war; despairng of being able to
carry the ordinance, would have voted for the ad-
| jOurnment, while the Union men, who wanted
peace, would also have voted for an adjournment.
The testimony in relation to this interesting his
tOrica episode is confined to the three Witnesses
| Lewis Baldwin and Bolts. It is quite vol uminOus
but the foregoing extracts contain the pith and mar
row Of it.
General Robert J.. Lee Slrorn and examined by Mr..
| HOrdrd:
.. Where is your present residencel
! A. Lexington Virginia.
| Q. How long have you resided in Lexington?
\. Since the first of October last-nearly five
months.
Q. Are you acquainted with the state of feeling
among what we call secessionists in Virginia
! at present, toward the Government of the United
! States!
A. do not know that ! am. | have been living
very retired, and have had but little communication
with politicians | know nothing more than from
my observation, and from such facts as have come
| TO my knowledge
Q. From your observation, what is your opinion
as to the feeling of loyalty towards the Government
of the United States among the secession portion of
! the people of that State at this time
A. So far as has come to my knowledge, | do not
know of a single person who either feels or cOntem
plates any resistance to the Government of the Uni
| IL.
| has reached me to either purpose
| Q. From what you have observed among them, is
! it your opinion that they are friendly toward the
Government of the United States and that they will
| cooperate TO sustain and uphold the Government
! for the futurel
A. believe that they entirely acquiesce in the
Government of the United States; and SO far as |
have heard any one express an opinion they are for
cooperating with President Johnson in his policy.
q. In his policy in regard to what?
In hil N tu he n Ina
| whole country. ! have heard persons, with whom
have conversed express great confidence in the wis
dom of his policy of restoration, and they seem to
| look forward to it as hope OF restoration.
Q. How do they feel in regard to that portion of
the people of the United States who have been for
| ward and jealous in the prosecution Of the war
| against the rebellionl
| A. Well, do not know | have heard nobody
express any opinion in regard to it. AS said be-
| fore have not had much communication with poll
tcians in the country, if there any. Every one
seems to be engaged in his affairs, and endeav
oring to restore the civil government of the State.
have heard no expression of sentiment toward any
| particular portion of the country.
! o. How do the secessiOnsts feel in regard TO the
payment of the debt of the United States contracted
| in the prosecution of the war?
\. ! have never heard any one speak on the sub
ect. / 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 ef
Il
pose are for their share of the debt. have never
heard any speak in opposition to the payment OF
taxes or of resistance to their payment. Their whole
effort has been to try and raise the money for the
| payment of the taxes. -
| Q. From your knowledge of the state Of public
feeling in Virginia, is it your opinion that the peO-
pie would, if the question left TO them, Tepudi
| ate and reject that debt?
A. never heard any one speak on that subject;
| but from my knowledge of the people, believe
.nnl1 ha in poffb n AZ oil
| Just debts. ...
Q. Do they, in your opinion, regard that as just
] debt
A. | do not know what their opinion is on the sub
\ ect of that particular debt have never heard any
opinion expressed but have never heard any Opin
| ion expressed contrary to it, Indeed, as ] said in
the beginning, have had very little discussion or
intercourse with the people. believe that the peO-
pie would pay the debts they called upon TO pay.
| say that from my knowledge of the people gene
rally.
O. Would they pay that debt or their portion oft,
with as much alacrity as people ordinarily pay their
| taxes to the Governments
A. | do not know that they would make any dis
tncton 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.
! .. What is the feeling of that portion of the people
of Virginia in regard to the payment of the so-caed
! Confederate debt!
facts to go upon, but merely base my opinion on the
knowledge have of the people, they would be will
ling to pay the Confederate debt too.
| z. You think they would
A. think they would, if they had the power and
ability to do so. have never heard any one in the
State with whom have conversed speak of repudia.
| ting any debt.
q suppose the Confederate debt is almost en-
trely valueless, even in the market in Virginial
A. Entirely, so far as know. ! believe the people
lly Lost antir aarl
any question on the subject.
O. Do you recollect the terms of the Confederate
bonds, when they were made payable
A. | think have general recollection that they
were made payable six months after declaration
of peace
T. Six months after the ratification of a treaty of
peace between the United States and the Confede
rate Governments
A. l think they ran that way.
O. So that the bonds are not due yet by their
terInsl
A. suppose unless it is considered that there is
peace now they are not due.
O. How do the people in Yirginia-the seces-
sOnists, more particularly-feel toward the Tree
men
A. Every one with whom / associate expresses
kind feelings towards the freedmen. They wish to
see them get on in the world, and particularly to
take up some occupation for a living, aud to turn
their hands to some work. know that efforts have
been made among the farmers near where live 10
L
wages.
O. Do you think there is a willingness on the part
of their old masters to give them fair, living wages
for their labOr}
A. believe il is so. The farmers generally prefer
those servants who have been living with them be
FORE have heard them express their preference ior
the men whom they knOw-whO had lived with them
beforehand their wish TO get them to return TO
work
Q. Are you aware of any combination among the
whites to keep down the wages of the blacks
a. | am not. | have heard that in several couh-
ties land owners have met in order to establish
uniform rate of wages; but have never heard, nor
! do know Of any combination to keep down wages,
or establish any rate which they did not think alr
The means of paying wages in Virginia are Very
limited now and there is difference of opinion as
TO how much each person is able TO pay.
O. How do they feel in regard TO the education OF
the blacks! Is there general willingness, or a
general unwillingness TO have them educated
a. Where | am, and have been, the people have
exhibited willingness that the blacks should be
educated, and they express an opinion that that
would be better for the blacks and better for the
whites.
Q. General, you are very competent to Judge OIL
the capacity of black men for acquiring klowl-
edge. want your opinion on that Capacity as COIL
pared with the capacity of white men 80
A do not know that am particularly qqalined
to speak on that subject as you seem to intimate
but do not think that he is capable OF acquiring
knowledge as the white man is. There are some
more apt than Others. | have known some to ac-
qure knowledge and skill in their trade profession.