Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-22


should have Il hard pull at it; what would
probably be the course taken by the SECESSION
lists Of Virginia, and other places south, with
whom you arc acquainted? -..
n think that as many, and perhaps more,
would take sides with the government OF the
United Staies as against H.
Q. Do you think that any considerable por-
ton OF the secessonists would join the enemy
ii they had the opportunity?
A. No, sir; 90 not think that any consid-
erahle portion would | do not see any reason
why they should be in love with France Or Eng
land. /.
O. Suppose they saw, or thought they saw,
prospect OF southern independence by taking
such a course :? 49,.
A. That might be a very tempting bait
@. DO you think it would be so strong a
temptation that some Of them would not be able
to resist it?
\. I think it is probable, with the present
feeling
@. How do the seccsSionists generally feel
towards the freedmen?
\. Kindly, | think | an sure [ have no
@. How do they feel on the subject of negro
education ?? ~
a. | am sure they arc perfectly satisfied with
it; they would give their aid, most of them,
| to the education OF the negro. | ain sure L
would myself [ always thought it should be.
&. How are northern men treated who pur
chase property among them and settle ?.
A. For aught know, very well [ never
heard of any one being matrcated | think
they have better feeling towards northern
people than towards their own people who have
becn against them in the war AS far as the
northern man is concerned, | do notthink there
is tad feeling towards him.
@. Do they feel q willingness to contribute
their share in the payment OF the federal debt
contracted in the prosecution Of the war;,
4. | think 50; they know they have to do it,
I suppose they think it very hard, to be sure.
Q. IF they had an opportunity would they
not vote against the payment Of the federal
debt?
A. I really 90 not know how [ can answer
that. ..,.. .-.-..-
. @. Suppose it was lelt to their free election,
to be decided by their votes, would they repu-
diatc the United States debt?
A. I think they would.
@. Suppose it was left to their votes whether
or not the confederate debt contracted in the
prosecution Of the war should be repuGiated,
rejected, and annulled, would they vote to an
null it?
Answer I do not know, really l never
thought about that. [ do not know that can
give a fair answer to that.
c. Is there not iii your mind some ground
to apprchcnd that they would vote to rcpudl-
ate it? ....... ' . .
A. Yes ia my opinion there are many who
would vote to repudlate 1t. .....
q. Have you any idea rs to what that debt
is?
A. | have not ; it is enormous.
9. What are the confederate bonds worth
now in the market in Alexandria, or the con-
tederatc currency? ...-.
A. There are frequent applications at my
office by little negroes and negro women to
know if will buy rebel money, but no one Of
ters to buy any. 49,.
O. 1t is not selling for anything in the mar
kct?
A. No, sir .. ... ....
Question. Have you any further observation
that you wish to make to this committee?
A. No.. sir, I do not know Of any. | do not
think it would be wise to force negro suffrage
upon the people now in their present condition;
it might lead to difficulties [ don't mean any
serious public difficulties, but difficulties be-
tween negroes and white men coming together
at the polls there might be broils ard dlstur-
Dances ....~ -. ..-. >....-"
@. In case the negroes should be given the
'
not, be likely to be induced by their old mas
Cs ters or the party embracing their old masters,
to vote for them and for their interests gcncr-
allv in short, could they be led away like
herd to vote as they should be dictated to by
their old masters?
\. [ do not think they could now. | think
that the feeling of liberty has permcated
through the country. | Go not think that they
have the same confidence or feeling in their old
masters which they had some time ago.
Q. Would they not be rather likely to vote
the other way?
A. They might. know that they are very
easily controlled, but their mixture with the
army and with northern people, and with sol;
die1s at military posts, has broken up the Old
feeling.
@. In your military service did YOU ever en-
counter any Of the black troops on the feld
A. No, sir; never encountered any black
troops at all | have had them in front oi me
on picket. .. -.
@. So far as you know, Or have been inform
ed, what is their quality as troops?
A. AS far as nay own bcllet Is conceInd, 1
think they arc capable Of teing made valuable
troops | think it was very great mistake
that we did not put them into the service OF tie
Confederate States in the beginning:
G. Why did not your confedcracy give them
their freedom ?
\. That is what say We should have
gone to work, giving them their freedom, ard
made soldiers Of them; We ought to have held
up their freedom as a bait and mustered them
all into the service, making their freedom the
reward.
@. Suppose that, instead Of putting them
into the confederate service, the contederacy
had enancipated the entire race and then used
them as soldiers? ..-..,
A, That would have been better; we then
would have had a prospect OF success; but the
people were not prepared for It,
D pACON.-Sides Shoulders. and Breast, ba-
- con- for sale by