IN CASE OF WAR, WOULD VIRGINIA JOIN OUR ENEMIES?
Q. In the event of a war between the United States and any foreign power, such as England or France, if there should be held out to the secession portion of the people of Virginia, or the other recently rebel States, a fair prospect of gaining their independence and shaking off the Government of the United States, is it or is it not your opinion that they would avail themselves of that opportunity?
A. I cannot answer with any certainty on that point; I do not know how far they might be actuated by their feelings; I have nothing whatever to base an opinion upon; so far as I know, they contemplate nothing of the kind now; what may happen in the future I cannot say.
Q. Do you not frequently hear, in your intercourse with secessionists in Virginia, expressions of a hope that such a war may break out?
A. I cannot say that I have heard it; on the contrary, I have heard persons—I do not know whether you could call them secessionists or not, I mean those people in Virginia with whom I associate—express the hope that the country may not be led into a war.
Q. In such an event, do you not think that that class of people whom I call secessionists would join the common enemy?
A. It is possible; it depends upon the feeling of the individual.
Q. If it is a fair question—you may answer or not, as you choose—what, in such an event, might be your choice?
A. I have no disposition now to do it, and I never have had.
Q. And you cannot foresee that such would be your inclination in such an event?