Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-04-25

Letters of Marque and Roprisal.
IetterB OF Marque and hoprlsaI,
PROCLAMATION, BY TIFF PRESIDENT or TIE
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.
MONTGOMERY, APRIL II, 1861.

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.
MONTGOMERY, APRIL IL, 1861.
Whereas Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United. States has announced his intention of
invading the Confedcracy with an armed force
for the purpose of capturing its fortresses, and
thereby subverting its independence, and sub.
jecting its free people TO the dominion of a for
eign power, and whereas it has thus become the
duty OF this Government to repe the threatened
invasion and defend the rights and liberties of
the people by all the means which the laws of
nations and the usages Of civilized warfare
place at his disposal. Now, therefore, |, Jefler-
son Davis, President of the Confederate States
OF America, do issue this, my proclamation, in
viting all those who may desire by armed SER
vice in private armed vessels on the high seas
TO aid this Government in resisting so wanton
and wicked an aggression to make applications
for commissions of letters of marque and re-
prisal to be issued under the seal of these
Confederate States. And | do further notify
all persons applying for letters of marque to
make a statement in writing, giving in wri-
ting the name and suitable description Of the
character, Tonnage and force of the vessel. the
name of the place of residence of each owner
concerned therein, and the intended number of
the crew and to sign each statement aud deliver
the same to the Secretary of State or Collector
of the port of entry of these Confederate States,
to be by him transmitted to the Secretary of
State. And do further notify all applicants
aforesaid before my commission or letter-o
marquc is granted to any vessel or the owner
or owners thereof and their commander for the
time being, that they will be required to give a
bond to the Confederate States with at least
two responsible sureties not interested in such
vessel, in the penal sum of five thousand dol
lars, with the condition that the owners, officers
and crew who shall be employed on board shall
observe the laws Of these Confederate States
and the instructions given them for the regula-
ton of their conduct, that shall satisfy all dam
ages done contrary to the tenor thereof by such
vessel during her commission, and deliver VI
the same when revoked by the President Of the
Confederate States. And do further specially
enjoin upon all persons holding offices civil ant
military under the authority of the Confederate
States that they be vigilant and jealous in thu
discharge of the duties incident thereto. AnC
| do moreover solemnly exhott the good people
of the Confederate States, as they love thci
country, as they prize the blessings of free gov
eminent, as they feel the wrongs of the pas
and those now threatened in aggravated form
by those whose enmiy is Lmore implacable be
cause unprovoked, that they exert themSclve
in preserving order, in promoting concord, il
maintaining the authority and efficiency of tn
laws, and in supporting and invigorating al
the measures which may be adopted for th
common defence and by which, under the bes
sing of Divine Providence. we may hope for
| speedy, just and honorable peace.
In testimony whereof | have set my han,
and seal this 18th day of April.
(Signed)
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
BY the President.
ROBERT TooMBs, Secretary of State.