, 1861-05-24
Proclamation Of Jeff. Davis.

WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, President
.of the United States, has, by proclamation,
announced his intention Of invading the
Confederacy with an armed force, for the
purpose of capturing its fortresses, and
thereby suOverting its independence, and
subjecting the free people thereof to the
dominion of foreign power; and whereas,
it has thus becomes the duty Of this Gov
ernment to Tepel the threatened invasion,
and defend the rights and liberties Of the
people by all means which the laws Of ma
lions and usages Of civilized warfare place
at its disposal:
Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, Pres.
ident Of the Confederate States Of Ameri-
ca, do issue this my proclamation, inviting
all those who may desire by service in pri-
vate armed vessels on the high seas, to aid
this Government 10 resisting so wanton and
wicked an aggression, to make application
for commissions, or letters Of marque or 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 tho
name and suitable description Of the char.
acter, tonnage and force Of the vessel, name
Of the place Of residence Of each owner
concerned therein, and the intended number
Of crew, and TO sign such statement, and
deliver the same to the Secretary Of State,
or Collector Of the port Of entry Of these
Confederate States, to be by him transmit
ted to the Secretary Of State; and do
fully notify oil applicants Aforesaid, before
any commission or letter Of marqne is issued
to any vessel, OF the owner or owners there
Of, or the commander for the time being,
they will be required to give bond 70 the
Confederate States, with at least two re-
sponsible sureties not interested 10 such
vessel, in the penal sum Of 5000, or II
such vessel be provided With more than one
hundred aud ffiy men, then in the penal
sum Of $40, 900, with the condition that the
owners, officers and crew, who shall be en-
ployed on board such commissioned vessel,
shall observe the laws OF these Coniederhts
States, and the instructions given them for
the regulation Of their conduct, that shall
satisfy all damages done contrary to the
tenor thereof, by such vessel during her
commission, and deliver up the same when
revoked by the President Of the Confeder-
1tc Dtatt1- Auu " tAI tuNA nPrNiNtII ~
join on all persons holding ONCE, civil aud
military. under the authority Of the Con-
iederate States, that they be sigilant and
jealous in the discharge Of the duties incl
dent thereto And i do moreover exhort
the good people OF these Confederate States
as they love their country, as they prize
their Government. as they feel the wrongs
Of the past and those now threatened in an
aggravated form by hose whose enmiiy Is
moro implacable because unprovoked, they
exert themselves ln preserving ogder, in
prompting concord, Ia maintaining the
authority and efficacy Of lhe laws, and in
supporting, inFigoraiing al The measures
which may be adopted for a common de-
fense, and BY which. under The blessings Of
Divine Provldeuca. We may hope for q
speedy. just and honorable peace.
10 witness whereof, have sot ny hand
and have caused the seal Of tho Confcdor.
ate States Of America to be attached, this
18th day Of April, Ia The year Of our Lord,
1861. JEFrrnsoS DAVIS.
RoBERr Tooxns, Secretary Of State