Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-23
! sai President Davis Proclamation. M
Proclamation By the President of the Contsde,
~ ated States of Anseraca.

I a
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, President of th
United States, has by Proclamation announce,
his intention of invading this Confederacy Will
an armed force for the purpose of Capturing tn
fortresses, and thereby subvefting its independ
ence, and subjecting the free people thereof K
the dominion of 9 foreign power; and, whereas
| it has thus become the duty Of this Government
to repel the threatened invasion, and defend Tho
rights and liberties. OF the people by all means
which the laws of nations and the usages of civ.
ilized warfare place at its disposal
Now, therefore, /, jefferson Davis. President
of the Confederated States of America do issue
this my Proclamation, inviting all those that
may desire to be of service in private armed
vessels on the high seas, to aid this Government
in resisting so wantOn and wicked an aggression.
to make application for commissions or letters
of marque and reprisal, to be issued under the
seal of the Confederated States; and do further
notify all persons applying for letters of marque,
to make statement in writing, giving the name
and a suitable description Of the character, tom
mage and force OF vessel, name and place of resi-
dence OF each owner concerned therein and in
tended number of crew, and to sign such state
ment, and to deliver the same to the Secretary
of State or Collector of port of entry of the
Confederated States, to be by him transmitted
to the Secretary of State and do further notify
all applicants aforesaid, before any commission
or letter of marque is issued to any vessel, or
the owner or owners thereof, and commander
for the time being, that they required to give
bond to the Confederate States, with at least
two responsible sureties not interested in such
vessel, in the penal sum of five thousand dollars
or in case such vessel be provided with more
than one hundred and fifty men, then in the Pc
nal sum OF ten thousand dollars, with condition
that the owners, officers and crew, who shall be
employed on board such commissioned vessel,
shall observe the laws of the Confederate States
and instructions given them for regulating their
conducts that they shall satisfy all damages done
contrary to the tenor thereof by such vessel du-
ring her commission, and deliver up the same
wien required by the President of the Oonfed-
crate States. do further specially enjoin on all
persons holding offices, civil and military, under
the authority OF the Confederate States, that they
be vigilant in the discharge of the duties incl
dent thereto; aid do moreover solemnly ex-
hort the good people of the Confederate States,
as they love their country, and as they prize the
blessings OF tree government, as they feel the
wrongs of the past and those which are now
threatened in an aggravated form by those whose
enmity is more implacable because unproyoked.
that they exert themselves in preserving order,
in promoting concord, in maintaining the au-
thority and efficacy of the laws, and in support
ing and organizing all the measures which may
be adopted for. the common defence, and by
which, under the blessings of Divine Providence,
we may hope for speedy, just and honorable
peace.
(~~) In testimony whereof | hereunto
SEAL. : set my hand and seal, this 17th day
(>~l of April, 1861. g
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
By the President
Ro. TooMRs Secretary of State.