Page:Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs (Volume Two).djvu/95

Rh know, they look upon the action of the State, in withdrawing itself from the government of the United States, as carrying the individuals of the State along with it; that the State was responsible for the act, not the individual.” This was the framework of his own defence. Speaking of the advocates of secession, he said: “The ordinance of secession, or those acts of a State which recognized a condition of war between the State and the General Government, stood as their justification for their bearing arms against the Government of the United States. They considered the act of the State as legitimate. That they were merely using the reserved right, which they had a right to do.”

From these views General Lee was led to a specific statement of his own position:

Question: “State, if you please, what your own personal views on that question were?”

Answer: “That was my view; that the act of Virginia in withdrawing herself from the United States carried me along as a citizen of Virginia, and that her laws and her acts were binding on me.”

Question: “And that you felt to be your justification in taking the course you did?”

Answer: “Yes, sir.”

In the course of the examination General Lee expressed the opinion that the “trouble was brought about by the politicians of the country.”

General Lee disclaimed all responsibility for the care and treatment of prisoners of war. He had always favored a free exchange of prisoners, knowing that proper means for the care and comfort of prisoners could not be furnished in the Confederacy. He thought that the hardships and neglects had been exaggerated. As to himself, he had never had any control over prisoners, except as they were captured on the field of battle. He sent his prisoners to Rich-