Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-15
BIZ re Pre.ident of .he United States Of
A PROCLAMATION.

Amono- the many evils produced by the
Wars, which, with little intermiss'on, have at
flicted Furope, and extended their ravages IN
10 other quarters Of the globe, for per,oo eN-
ceedinp- twenty years, the dispersion ut a con-
siderable portion Of The inhabitants OF ui"ercht
countries, in sorrow and in want, has not oeen
the least iriurion. to human happiness nor,'he
least severe in the trial ot human, Vr'"e'
tthad been long ascertained that many ior-
rirners ay;nc- rron the dangers OF their own
home. AMI that some citizens, forgetiui % their
Auty. bod co-operated i'm forming an establish
m.nt or ,he Island of Baratar'l, nea- the NOUN
az the Mississippi for the purpose o. clan.
destine ant law'es< trade. The government OF
the United States caused the establishment 10
be brols "a M and destroyed &: and. hav ng o.
tanned the means Of designating the offenders
or every description, it only remained 70 an
swer the demands OF justice, ny hulcu"s AN
exemplary punishment.
Rut it has since been represented, that the
offenders have manifested sincere penitence;
that they have abandoned the prosecution OF
the worst cause Cor the support OF the vest ;
and particularly, that they have exhibited, IN the
defence o. New Orleans, unequivscai traits sf
courage and fidelity. Offenders, who have re-
fused 10 become the associates ot the enemy
in The war, upon the most seducing terms 81
invi. alton and who have aided to repei his
States. can no longer be considered as objects
or punishment, but as objects of generous
forgiveness.
II has therefore, been seen, with great iatis-
faction that the General Assembly OF the state
orLouis:ana earnestly recommend those OF
fev,ers to the benefit OF a full pardon And IN
compliance with thu recommendations as wen
as in consideration Of all the other extraordi-
narv circumstances of the case, ], JAMES MA
80 ha
rica, do issue this Proc amation, hereby gran.
ting, publishing and declaring, atree and iul
pardor of all offences committed in violation
Of anv act or acts ofthe Congress OF the SAID
United States touching the revenue, trade
and navigation thereof, or touching the
Intercourse and commerce OF tho United
States with foreign nations, at any time before
the eighth lay of January, in the present year
one thousand eight hundred and htern, by any
ncr,on cr nersons whatsoever, being inhsbi'
tant. o. New Orleans and the adjacent ccuntr =
or being inhabitants ofthe said ISLAND of Bar,
ratsria. and the places adj aren't: Prso'afd
That everv person, claiming the b'reht OF I'M;
full pardon in order "a cattle himself thereto
shall produce a certificate in writing ispm the
Governor nc the Stat. of I.ouisians, stating th'
such rerscr has aided IN the defence OF Nv
Orleans. and the adjacent country, curing Tie
invasion thereof &c aforesaid
And 1 doIerehy rJr,har authorize arG direc
al suits, indictments, and prosecutions, for
fines, penalties and forfeitures, assinstany per
son, or persons, who shall be entitled to the
benefit ofthis frI' pardon, forthwith to be stareo
discontinued and released And all civil oiii'
GERS are hereby required, according to the du'
ties Of their respective stations, to carry this
Proclamation into immediate and faithful ex'
ecution.
Dow at the city of Washington, the
si:th dav Of February. in the yesr on,
therseud eight hundred and fifteen, snt
oi the Independence of the United States
the thirty.ninth
JAMES MADISON.
BY the President,
Aetiag Secretary Of State.