Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-28
PROCLAMATION or GENERAL A. s. JOHNSTON TO
TIE PEOPLE OE KENTUCKY.

Ithas already been announced that Gen. A. 8. john
stou has entered his duties ss Commander Of the
Western Division. Below We sutjoin, as pirt Of the
history Of these times the Generals proclamation to the
people Of Kentucky:
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, the armed occupation Of part Of KIM
lucky by tie United States and the preparations which
maues the Intention Of their Government to invade the
Confederate States through that territory have imposed
Il on these last necessity Of se Defence to enter
that State and meet the invasion upon he best line fer
military operations;
Aud whereas il il proper that the motives Of the Gov
eminent OF the Confederate States in taking this step
should be fully known to the world;
Nov, therefore, i, Albert s. Johnston, General and
Comm Of the Western Department Of the Army OF
the Conf deratc States of America do proclaim thai
these States have thus marched their troops into Ken
lucky with no hostile intention towards its people, nor
do they desire 10 seek 10 control their choics In regard
10 their union with either OF the Conederaees or to
subjugate their State hold lis sol against their Wishes
On the contrary they deem IL 10 be right OF the peo
pie Of Kentucky TO determine their own position in regard
70 tie blgerens 1t is for them to say whether they
vii Join either CoDfedescy or maintain separate exit
ence Independent and sovereign State. The Mm'd
occupation Of thu SOL both as TO its extent aud dura-
cn will therefor be strictly limited by the exgencies
of sefdefence. These S.aus intend to conform to ali
the requirements Of public law and international amity
as betwst themselves aud Kentucky aud accordingly
command ell who subj sct to my ORDERS TO paw ell
tie respect 10 the rights of property and the legal
authorities Within that State, so far ss the same may
be compatible with the necessities Of self-defence -
if il be the desire Of the people of Kentucky TO main
tain strict and impartial neutrality, then the effort 70
drive out the awless truders who seek to make their
ate toe theatre Of war wi aid them In the attainment
Of their wishes IT, ss it may not be unreasonable o
suppose these people desire to unite their fortunes with
the Confederate States to whom they are already bound
BY 50 many of interest," then the appearance AID aid
of Confederate troops will assist them make an opper
tppity for the free aud unbiased expression OF their will
uoon the subject. But IL l. b, true which 10 not to be
presumed that majority Of these people desire to ad-
here to the United States and become parties to tina war
then nore can doubt the right Of the other beligere
to meet thst war whenever and wherever 1t may be
lssged But harboring no such suspicion nov declare,
in The name of the Government which serve, that lie
army aht be Withdrawn from Kentucky soon as there
shall be satisfactory evidence Of the existence and exc
outon of like intention on the part Of tho Unite
States.
By order of the President Of the Confederate States
Of America. 4. JOHNsToN,
General Commanding the Western Department Of tie
Army of the Conf 'dsrate States Fl Am-r'ca.