South in New York, which would have proved exceedingly lucrative.  In the summer of 1865, however, he accepted an offer more congenial to his feelings—­that of the presidency of Washington College at Lexington—­and in the autumn of that year entered upon his duties, which he continued to perform with great energy and success to the day of his death.  Of the excellent judgment and great administrative capacity which he displayed in this new field of labor, we have never heard any question.  It was the name and example, however, of Lee which proved so valuable, drawing to the college more than five hundred students from all portions of the South, and some even from the North.

Upon the subject of General Lee’s life at Washington College, a more important authority than that of the present writer will soon speak.  In the “Memorial Volume,” whose publication will probably precede or immediately follow the appearance of this work, full details will, no doubt, be presented of this interesting period.  The subject possesses rare interest, and the facts presented will, beyond all question, serve to bring out new beauties in a character already regarded with extraordinary love and admiration by men of all parties and opinions.  To the volume in question we refer the reader who desires the full-length portrait of one concerning whom too much cannot be written.

During the period extending between the end of the war and General Lee’s death, he appeared in public but two or three times—­once at Washington, as a “witness” before a Congressional committee, styled “The Reconstruction Committee,” to inquire into the condition of things in the South; again, as a witness on the proposed trial of President Davis; and perhaps on one or two additional occasions not of great interest or importance.  His testimony was not taken on the trial of the President, which was deferred and finally abandoned; but he was subjected before the Washington committee to a long and searching examination, in which it is difficult to decide whether his own calmness, good sense, and outspoken frankness, or the bad taste of some of the questions prepounded to him, were the more remarkable.  As the testimony of General Lee, upon this occasion, presents a full exposition of his views upon many of the most important points connected with the condition of the South, and the “reconstruction” policy, a portion of the newspaper report of his evidence is here given, as both calculated to interest the reader, and to illustrate the subject.

The examination of General Lee took place in March, 1866, and the following is the main portion of it: 

General ROBERT E. LEE, sworn and examined by Mr. Howard: 

Question.  Where is your present residence?

Answer.  Lexington, Va.

Q. How long have you resided in Lexington?

A. Since the 1st of October last—­nearly five months.

THE FEELING IN VIRGINIA.

Q. Are you acquainted with the state of feeling among what we call secessionists in Virginia, at present, toward the Government of the United States?