The New York herald., 1866-03-28
What the Virginians Think
About the National Debt.

WASHINGTON March a. 1864.
The testimony taken by the Reconstruction Committee
in regard to Virginia and the two Caronas to-day
in the House by Mr. Conklng, and ordered
be printed The delay in reporting caused by
the absence OF Senator Howard before whom all OF
taken. There than sixty witnesses ex-
amned by Senator Howard in relation to the condition Of
affairs in the States Of Virginia. North Carolina ana
South Carolina Some few witnesses examined by
him in relation to other Southern States but their test
mony reported with that Of the States to which
applied.
Among the important Of the witnesses examined
In relation to Virginia Judge Underwood who has
been elected United States Senator from that State but has
yet boon admitted TO a seat Mr. Lewis Mckenzie,
the position In recard the House Of Representa-
tves; General Turner commanding the post at Richmond
Major General Terry in command Of the department. and
Colonel Orlando Brown, Assistant Commissioner OF the
Freedmen's Bureau, stationed at Richmond half dozen
Virginia 10y aiss, including John Minor Bolts, Charles
Gray, Of Augusta county John +. LOWS, of Rocking
ham county, and his brother, Charles H. Lewis the
secretary Of The Commonwealth; General RobertE r.
Lee, OF tho rebel army, aud Brigader General n D.
Corse OF the same; Eve memb Of the Virginia Iegis-
laturo namely, John B. Baldwin, Speaker OF the House
Of Delegates; Wm Jayncs Chairman OF the Judiciary
Committee and r. B. Grattan with Dale Carter and f.
Keen members of the State Senate the latter formerly
q colonel in tn, rebel army; the Rev. DR.. McMurdy
Of Christ church Alexandria, Va Rev. James w.
Hunnicutt OF Fredericksburg; seven colorcd mon, in
clnding minister doctor and dentist who is also
Baptist missionary, examined. The witness whose
testimony will be- perhaps. most eagerly sought for
General Lee.
Testimony OF General Robert r. Lee.
General Robert F. Lee, sworn and examined by Mr.
Howard
Q Where is your present residencef A. Lexington,
Virginia
@ How long have you resided at Lexington A. Since
the LIST or October last, nearly ave months.
RESISTANCE GOVERNMENT CONTEMPLATED.
Q Are you acquainted with the state Of feeling among
what call scecssionsts Virginia at present towards
the government Of the United Staacsf A. do not know
that am; have been living very retired, and have but
little communication with politicians I know nothing
more than from my observation and from such facts
have como N my knowledge.
Q. From your observation what II your opinion 10
the feeling OF loyalty towards the government of she
United States among the portion OF the people
OF that state this timer SO far has 10 my
knowledge DO not know OF single person who either
feels conempaes any resistance TO the govcsnrnsst
Of the United States indeed any opposition to n;
word has reached me of either purpose.
co.orER,rIos PRESIDENT yoHxsox's PolIcY
Q. From what you have observed among them s t
your opinion that they friendly towards the govern
ment OF the United States and that they win operate
10 sustain and uphold tho government for the futurse
believe that they entirely acquiesce in the govern
ment Of the United States, and far have heard
any express opinion, they for operating
with President Johnson in his policy.
@ In his policy in regard TO whats A. His policy in
regard to the restoration OF the whole country; have
heard persons with whom have conversed express great
confidence in the wisdom Of his policy OF restoration
and they seem 10 look forward TO hope OF restor
Q How do they feel In regard to tina, portion of tho
people Of the United states who have been forward ana
jealous in the prosecution Of the against the rcDc-
hon? A. Wei, do not know; have heard nobody
express any opinion IN regard 10 ~ AS said before,
have not had much communication with politicians
the country IL thorc any every be
engaged in's affairs aud endcavoring
civil government OF tho state have heard expr.s-
sion OF sentiment towards any particular portion Of tic
country.
How do the secessonsis feel IN regard TO the paw
u tho debt OF the United States contratei in the
prosecution Of the war A. have heart anyone
speak the subject suppose they must expect 10 paw
tie taxes levied by the government have heard them
speak IN reference u the of taxes their
for their share OF the debt have never ard any
one sprss IN & oppIsom 70 ,he raymen o. .aTe Or
TO try to raise the money for the payment OF The taxes
q From your KNOWLEDGE OF the stale OF public feeling
In Virginia IL your opinion that the people would II
the question were left u them, rcpudaic and cci
debts A. never heard anyone speak that subject;
but, from my knowledge OF the people, believe they
would be in favor Of the payment OF al just debts
O. they, in your opinion, regard that just debif
A. do not know what their opinion upon the subject
Of that partculaf debt have heard any opinion
expressed have never heard expressed contrary
t; indeed. as ! said In the beginning, have lad very
little discussions with the people beeve
that the people would pay the debts they upon
TO pay: say that from my knowledge fd the peopo
Q Would they pay that debt or their portion Of Il,
with as much aiacrity people ordinarily pay he taxes
10 thoir governments A. do not know that they would
make any distinction between the two the levied
by the government SO far as know, they PREPARED
70 pay 20 the best Of their ability never heard them
rHs ccSrrDrRsrx pxBr r
what is the fcel,nE Of that portion OF IN n'ope OF
fcderate debu A. believe, so far my opinion gocs
have facts TO 80 upon, but merely base my opscn
willing 10 pay the Confederate debt TOO.
q You think they wouldf A. think they would "
they had tho power and ability TO do ~ have never
heard any IN the State with whom have converscd
speak Of repudating any debt
q I suppose tho Confederate debt is almost entirely
vaiueless even In the market OF Virginia. A. Entirely,
far I know I believe the people generiiiy onk NJ,
upon u as lost entirey mover beard amy question On y
O Do you rccolcct the terms Of the Confederate
bonds-when they were made payan'er ~. a. , thnk !
six months after a declaration OF peace.
Q sr months after the ra,nca,ion o. treaiy of
government A. think they ran In that way.
q So thatyhe bonds not due YET by their ierms'
suppose, unless ~ considered that there peace
now, they not due.
How do the people in Virginia, the secessionisia'N "
more nar,,cuarIy feel toward the frecdmcnY A Every .
ono with whom I associate expresses kind feelings to-
Ss ~os .ps ana pscus Jake up .o%.
Toy living and 70 turn their hands " some work;
know that efforts have eees made among the farmers
ness where live 70 induce them 70 engage for the year
O Do you shink there les v,iiasses. on tb. par ct
SEE SUPPLEMENT SHEEy