The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-09-02

ST.. LOUIS, Aug. 3lst-The following
proclamation was Issued this morning:
HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTM'r,
ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, Aug 30, 1861.
Circumstances, in my Judgment, OF suffi-
eient emergency, render it necessary that
the Commanding General OF this Depart
ment should assume the administrative pow
ers of the State. Its disOrganized condi-
ton, the helplessness OF the civil authori-
ties, the total insecurity of life, and the de-
vastation of property by bands of murder
ers and marauders who infest nearly every
county in the State, and avail themselves
of the public misfortune and the vicinity of
the hostile force, to crafty private and
neiehborhood revenge, aud who find an en-
envy wherever they find plumber, demands
the severest measures to repress the daily
increasing crimes and outrages, which are
driving off the inhabitants and running the
State.
In this condition, the public safety and
the success of our arms requires unity OF
purpose, without outlet or hindrance to
the prompt administration of affairs. In
order, therefore, to suppress disorders, to
maintain, as far as now practicable, the
public peace, and to give security and pro-
lection TO the persons and property of loyal
citizens / do hereby extend, and declare
established, martial law, throughout the
State of Missouri The lines of the army
of occupation in this State are for the pres
emit declared to extend from Leavenworth,
by way of the posts of Jefferson City, Roll
la, and Ironton. Persons who shall be TAX
en- with arms in their hands, within these
lines, shall be tried by court-martial, and
if found guilty shall be shot. The prop
erty, real or 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 an active part
with their enemies, in the field, is declared
to be confscated to the public use, and
their slaves, if they have any, are hereby
declared free men.
All persons who shall be proven to have
destroyed, after the publication of this or
der, Railroad tracks, bridges, or telegraphs,
shall suffer the extreme penalty of the law.
All persons engaged in reasonable cor
respondence in giving or procuring aid to
the enemy of the United States, in foment-
ing tumults, in disturbing public tranquil
ty, by creating and circulating false reports,
or incendiary documents, are, in their own
interest warned, that they are exposing
themselves to certain and severe punish
ment. ''@
All persons who have been led away from
their allegiance, are required to return to
their homes. Any such absence, without
sufficient cause, will be held to be presump-
tive 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 sus-
pend the ordinary tribunals of the country,
where the law will be administered by the
civil officers in the usual manner, with their
customary authority, while the same can be
peaceably exercised.
The commanding General will labor Wig
ilantly for the public welfare, and IN mis- eff
forts for their safety, hopes to obtain not on
ly their acquiescence, but the active support
Of the people of the country.
(Signed) J. G.. Fremont,
Maj. Gen. Commanding.