Year: 1866

with different persons, they pos
sess a fair capacity for acquiring
knowledge I think the second gene
ration can be instructed much more
easily and thoroughly than the present
one, because, in a measure, the mind
Of the negro is entirely developed at
the present time except in matters OF
practical observation. think, in
many instances where negroes have
been assured that they would be paid
fair wages, they have gone to work
willingly and have continued at work
as long as the contract has been faith
fully performed on the part Of his EN-
| ployer | do think Georgia differs
materially from Alabama. There may
be somewhat more of personal hatred
toward the negro in his relation as
freedman, but Gs yet it has been easily
controlled through the Freedmen 3
Bureau, and that feeling is constantly
improving in all the States. The peO-
pie of Mississippi appear to me to be
more impulsive and more prone to
stand up for and assert their opinions.
! 1t is a difficult matter to describe the
difference between the people Of these
| two States, yet there is a difference. l
consider the people of Mississippi the
least promising. The people of that
| State do not listen TO argument and
! discussion with as much cslmuess as
| the people of Alabama do. l don t
know that can give decided opin-
/ ion of the difference in the state of the
| feeling in those States now and Just
after Lees surrender, because the re-
ports l received soon after Lees sur
| render were generally from persons
who travelled hurriedly through that
| section of the country. / think in the
great majority of cases they we're dis
posed to look on the most favorable
side Immediately after the surrender of
Lee and the downfall of the Confed
eracy, and perhaps they did not inVes-
tigate as closely as persons would at the
present time The universal report
made to me by persons travelling
through those States at that time, was
to the effect that the mass of the peo-
pie were very happy at the downfall Of
the rebellion, and at their prospect of
soon again getting under the Constitu-
ton and government of the United
States.


Q. Do you know anything from in
formation or report of secret organiza-
tione South, said TO be hostile to the
Government


A. 1 have received several communi-
cations to that effect; bat persons who
have given me this information, have
desired that their names should not be
mentioned; and as yet no direct accu-
sations have been made in regard to any
person or any class of persons. There
have been steps taken to ascertain the
truth of the matter The persons who
are in communication with me are re
liable and truthful, and / believe their
statements are correct in the main, but
how far this dissffection extends | am
yet unable to say. 1t does exist, to a
| certain extent and | am taking meas
ures to obtain as much information on
the subjec as l can.


Q. To what State does this informa-
ton relate2


A. 1t relates to all the States lately
in rebellion. l think there is no real
danger to be apprehended, because the
military authority and power of the
Government Is not only feared in those
States, but think it is ample to put
down any serious demonstration.
q. Is this information from differ
ent sources, each Independent of the
Other2


A. Yes, sir.


. So far as you are informed, what
are the nature and objects OF this or
gsnization2


A To embarrass the Government Of
the United States in the proper admin
istration of the affairs of the country,
by endeavoring or making strong et-
forts to gain very important concessions
to the people of the South, and if pos
sible to repudiate the national debt,
incurred in consequence of the rebel
lion, or to gain such an ascendeney in
Congress as to make provision for the
assumption by Congress of the debt in
Cured by the rebel government Also,
in case the United States Government
can be involved in foreign war, to
watch their opportunity and take ad-
vantage of the first that occurs to strike
for the independence of the States late
ly in rebellion.


@ Do you know of any person of in
huence implicated in this movement 2


4. | have not ascertained that any
persons of influence are implicated in
1t, and / will further state, in Justice to
the people of the South, that l know
many men who were prominent in the
rebel army who | believe are now hon.
estly trying to become good citizens oi
the United States They have been
paroled, and have applied to the Presi
dent for pardon, and are awaiting his
decision. They have set themselves tc
work quietly to earn an honest liveli-
hood in some practical and peaceful
manner, thereby setting good exam
pie 20 the other people of the South.
| Remarkable Case nf TraurP-A yadX