Litchfield enquirer., 1861-09-05

PROCLAMATION OF GEN. FREMcsT. St. Louis, August S1.-The following proclamation was is- sued this morning:
 HEADQUARTERS OF THE WESTERN DEPT,
 ST. LOUIS, August 3l.
 Circumstances, to my judgment of sufficient urgency render it necessary that the command ing-general of this department should assume tlle administrative powers of the state. Its dis organized condition. the helplessness of the civil authority, the total insecurity of life, and the devastation of property by bands of murderers and marauders, who infest nearly every country in the state, and avail themselves of the public misfortunes and the vicinity of hostile force to gratify private and neighborhood vengeance, and who find enemy wherever they find plum der, finally demand the severest measures to re- press the daily increasing crimes and outrages which are driving off the inhabitants add ruin ing the state. In this condition the public safe ty and the success of our arms require unity of purpose, without let or hindrance to the prompt administration of affairs.
 In order, therefore, to suppress disorders, to maintain far now practicable the public reace, and to give security and protection to the persons and property of loyal citizens, dohere- by extend, and declare established, martial-law, throughout the state of Missouri The lines of the army occupation in this state are for the present declared to extend from Leavenworth by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Rolla and Ironton, to Cape Girardeau, on the Mississippi river. All persons who shall be taken with arms in their hands within these lines shall be tried by court-martial, and, if found guilty, will be shot. The property, real and personal, of all persons in the state of Missouri, who shall take up arms against the United States, or who shall be directly proven to have taken active part with their enemies in the field, is declared to be con- fscated to the public use; and their slaves if any they have, are hereby DECLARED FREE MEN.
 All persons who shall be proven to have de- stroyed after the publication of this order, rail road tracks, bridges, or tclegraphs, shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law.
 All persons engaged in reasonable correspon- dence, in giving or procuring aid to the enemies of the United States. in disturbing the public tranquility by creating and circulating false reports or incendiary documents, are in their own interest warned that they are exposing themselves.
 All persons who have been led away from their allegiance are required to return to their homes forthwith; any such absence, without sufficient cause, will be held to be presumptive evidence against them.
 The object of this declaration is to place in the hands of the military authorities the power to give instantaneous effect to existing laws, and to supply such deficiencies as the conditions of war demand. But it is not intended to suspend the ordinary tribunals of the country, where the law will be administrated by the civil officers in the usual manner and with their customary au- thority, while the same can be peaceably exer- cised
 : The commanding general will labor vigilantly for the public welfare, and in his efforts for their safety hopes to obtain not only the acquies- cence but the active support of the people of the country. (Signed) J.C. FREMONT.
 Major-General Commanding.