The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-04-24
pROEl.A NATION.
ny TIE PRESIDENT OF THE cuSYsDERATE
sTATES UT AMEEICA.

nv TIE PRESIDENT OF THE CoSYsDERATE
sTATE, or AMERICA.
Whereas. Abraham l.,ncoin. the Prr,i.
deaf of the United States, has, hy ProrIa.
nation, announced tl,e intention of invading
this CoEfrdcracv with an armed fore. Tor
the pnrpose "f capturing its f"rlrrsses, uni
thc.chy subrertins its independence, ani
s"hJ"cting The free people thereof 10 the
dominion of foreign power; and Whereas
i, has thus become the dniy of lni, Govern.
mcnt to cNpel the threatened Invasion, aud
10 defend righ,s and lihcr:irs Of in. people
10y all the means which the Law Of nations,
and tLe usage, OF civilized warfare, place at
its disposal:
Now, lhrscforc, l, JEFFERSDN DNylS,
PRESIDENT OF THE CosFEDEEATE SrArEs
OF AMERICA, do issue this my Proclamation
inviting all those who may desire, by ser.
vice in private armed vessels on the high
seas. To mid this Government In resisting 40
wantnn and wicked an aggression, 10 make
application for cotnnis siuns or Letters Of
Marquc and Rrprisal, 10 be- issued under
the Seal al these Confederate States
And do further notify all persons ap.
plying for leiie,s of Murqn-, To make u
statement III writing. giving The rsule and
n suitable description Of the character, ton.
mage aud force Of the vessel, and The nam,
aud place OF residence Of racn owner con.
c"rned therein, and The intended number of
the crew, and to sign saiG stat .,nent and
deliver the same TO The Secretary of Stale.
or the Collector ot any por, Of cnlry Of
these Confederate States, to DO by him,
transmitted to the Secretary Of State.
And ] do further notify ali applicants
aforesaid that before any commission or
Letter of Marque is issued 10 cny vessel,
tho owner or owners thereof, and the com.
mander for the time being, will Le required
to give bond TO the Confederate States,
with at least Two responsible sure,ics, not
Interested IN such vessel, in The penal SUN
of live thousand dollars or If such vessel
be provided with more than one hundred
and hfty men, then in the penal SUN OF ten
owners, officers aud crew who shall be e,n.
pioyed on board such commissioned yes-
sci, shall observe the laws Of these Coufcd.
crate States and the Instructions given TO
them for the regulation Of lhei. conduct.
! That they shall satisfy all damages done
contrary 10 the tenor thereof by such vessel
during her commission, and deliver up the
same when revoked by the President OF the
Confederate States.
And do further specially enjoin on all
persons holding Offices, civil and military,
under the authority Of the Confederate
States, that they be vigilant and Jealous in
dischargiDg the duties incident thereto
and do, moreover, solemnIy exhort the
good people Of these onfederats States.
as they love their country, as they prize
the blessings OF free government, as they
feel the wrongs OF the past and these now
threatened in aggravated form by those
whose snmiiy is implacable because unpro.
voked, that they exert themselves In prs.
serving order, In promoting concord, in
raainiaolsy the authority and efficacy of
The Jaws, and 10 supporting and invigosa.
ting all the measures which may bo adept.
ed Tor the common defence, aud by wkico,
under the blessing OF Divine Pro,ideses.
we may hope for speedy, jus, and honor.
able peace.
in testimony whereof, I have herepnto set
my hand, and caused the Seal Of the
Confederate States TO DO affixed, mi.
sereniesnih day Of Apni, 1861.
BY the President.
(Sigped) JEFFERSON DAVIS