Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-09-06
Gen. Fremont's Proclamation.

ST. LOUIS, AUG. 81.
The following proclamation was issued
this morning,
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPT. }
st. Louis, Aug. 80, 1861. !
Circumstances in my judgement are
Of sufficient urgency to render it neces-
sary hat the Commanding General Of
this department should assume admins
trative powerof the State. Its disorgan-
ized condition, helplessness Of civil
authority and the total insecurity of lite
and devastation of property by bands Of
murderer5 and marauders, who infest
nearly every county in the State, and
avail themselves Of public misfortunes
and, in the vicinity Of a hostile force, tc
crafty private and neighborhood ven
geauce, and who find an enemy wherever
they find plumber, finally demand the
.seyerest measures to repress the daily
increasing crimes and outrages, which are
driving off the inhabitants and running
the State.
In this condition, the public safety and
success of our arms require unity Of pur-
pose, without let or hindrarce to the
prompt administration of affairs. In
order, therefore, to suppress disorders,
maintain The public peace, and give Sc
curity to the persons and property of
loyal citizens, | do hereby extend and
declare established martial law through
out the State of Missouri. The lines Of
occupation in this State are for the
present declared to extend from Leaven-
worth, by way Of posts Of jefferson City,
Rolla and Ireton, to Cape Girardeau on
the Mississippi river. All persons who
shall be taken with armes in their hands
within these lines shall be tried by court
martial, and if found guilty, will be shot.
Real and personal property of those who
shall take up arms against the United
States, or who shall be directly proven
to have taken an active part with their
enemies in the field, is declared confsca-
ted to public use, aud their slaves, if any
they have, are hereby declared free
men.
All persons who shall be proven to
have destroyed, after the publication of
this order, railroad tracks, bridges or
lines, shall suffer the extreme
penalty of the law. All persons engaged |
in reasonable correspondence, in giving
or procuring aid to the enemy, in ferment- |
ing turmoil and disturbing public tran
guilty, by creating or circulating false
reports, or incendiary documents, are
warned that they are exposing them
selves.
All persons who have been led away
from allegiance, are required to return to
heir homes forthwith. Any such alb
'ence without sufficient cause, will be
held to be presumptive evidence against
hem. The object of this declaration is
o place in the hands of military author
ties, power to give instantaneous effect
o the existing laws, and supply such
deficiencies as the conditions of the war I
lemand but it is not intended to sus-
'end the ordinary tribunals of the coun-
ry, where law will be administered by
he civil officers in the usual manner, and
With their customary authority, while the
anne can be peaceably administered. +
The commanding General will labor !
lglIantIy for the public welfare, and, by
lis efforts for their safety, hopes to obtain
ot only acquiesence, but the active sup =
ort Of the people of the country.
(Slgned) J. c. FREMONT,
Major General, Commanding. a