Question. As far as you know, what is the practice and policy of the rebel Government? I wish to distinguish between that and the practice of indiscreet officers and passionate citizens. What, I say, is the practice and policy of the rebel Government with reference to the inhabitants of those districts of country which are overrun alternately by the rebel armies and the Union armies?

I am not able to answer that question from positive knowledge; I only have information from others; that information leads me to believe in many instances, and particularly in East Tennessee, that their treatment has been very harsh. In other instances in Middle Tennessee my information has been that it has not been so. I make this latter statement from what I know of Murray county and ;Giles. There are many Union men in those counties remaining at home, I think, past the age of conscription. Since the federal army left those counties, feeling an interest in those gentlemen, I have made frequent inquiries about them and their treatment. The information received was that they were at home unmolested,at least so far as their personal liberty was concerned. Whether any distinctions have been made in regard to seizing property of Union or secession men I am not advised. I know the fact that a great many young men have left some of the counties in Middle Tennessee (being, as I believe, Union men) to avoid the conscription. I know the fact that there are a great many refugees in Nashville and different parts of the State who left their homes to avoid punishment, as they feared, by the Confederate authorities. Whether they would have been punished I cannot say; doubtless some of them would have been had they remained at home.

Question. Is it understood that the harsh policy which the rebel Government has pursued toward the Union people of East Tennessee has impaired their affection and loyalty toward the Union; and is it supposed that this treatment, in the event of an occupation of that country by the Union armies, would prevent those people from giving expression to their loyalty and extending their support to the Government?

i do not think, from what I have heard from East Tennesseeans, that their treatments by the rebel armies or authorities has impaired their affection for the Union. I rather think there would be almost a universal rejoicing if the armies of the United State would enter East Tennessee. I think their bitterness for the rebel authorities is very intense, and has been increased by the manner in which they have been treated by those authorities.

Question. It has been supposed that while the policy and practice of the rebel authorities toward those who forget their allegiance to the rebel Government are severe and our policy and practice toward those who forget their allegiance toward the General government are mild the effect is to offer an inducement to disloyalty. Do you consider that that is really true; ;that the practical operation of these systems is to weaken the influence of the General Government over such people as long as they are under the control and protection of the Union armies?

I think treason to the United States ought to be punished. If committed in the face of the Army, the military ought to punish it; if not, the civil authorities ought to. I think a course of consistent kindness on the part of the United States Army in the territory whose people are in rebellion would have a good effect upon those people. From what I have seen of the East Tennesseeans who have left Tennessee on account of their persecutions for their Union sentiments I am satisfied that the rebel cause has suffered by the treatment of these men. I think a milder course would have been better for it; and so I think of our own cause. Where it is necessary to be severe on account of offenses committed, then let severity core; but with peaceable, quiet citizens kindness, in my judgment, would be far preferable.

Question. Is it not true that the people of the States in rebellion against the Government have been compelled very generally to acquiesce in that rebellion, whatever might be their wishes and opinions?

On tho first breaking out of the rebellion I think there was an apprehension on the minds of the people of Tennessee to some extent of physical force and injury, and in many instances there was a compulsion of public sentiment which the young men could not well resist, or at all events they did not. I presume that force is more