The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-05-01
President Davis's Proclamation.

Proclamation oy the President of me C0iyea-
crate STATES Of .7meriea,
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln. President Of
the United States, has BY proelamation, an-
nounced his in,cntion ol invading this Con-
ledrracy with an armed force for the purpose
Of capturing the fortresses, and thereby sub
verting its independence. and subjecting the
free people thereof TO the dominion of a for
e'gn power; and. whereas, it has thus become
the duty Of this Government TO repei the
threatened invasion. and defend the rights
and liberties Of the people by all means
which the laws Of nations aud the usages Of
civilized warfare place al its Disposal
| Now. therefore. |. Jefferson Davis, Presi.
dent Of the Confederate States OF America,
do issue this proclamation, inviting all thnse
that may desire TO be of service in private
armed vessels on the high seas, to aid this
Government in resisting SO wsnton aud
wicked an aggression. to make application
/ for commissions or letters oil marque aud re-
prisal, to be issued under the seal OF the Con
tederate States; and 10 further notify all
persons applying for letters Of marque 70
make 4 statement in writing. giving The
name and suitable description d the char,
acter, tonnage and fnrce Of the vessel, and
the name and place Of residence OF each
owner concerned therein, and the intended
number Of the crew, aud Ia sisn such state
ment, aud deliver the same 10 the Secretary
Of State, or TO the Collector OF any port OF
entry OF the Confederate States. 10 be BY him
transmitted To the Secretary ni stare; and
do further notify ali applicants ainre,aid, be.
fore any commission nr letter nt marque OF
Ireprisal i issued to anS vessel, the owner
nr owners thereof, and The commander tnr
the time being, will be required y give bond
to the Confederate States, with at least tw1
responsible suretes, not interested IN such
vessel. in the penal sum Of five thnus nd dol
lars, or II such vessel be provided with mOrr
than one hundred aud fifty men, then IN the
penal sum ofte thousand dollars, with con-
ditiuns that the owners. officer. and crew,
who shall be employed On board Of such com
lmissioned vessel, shall observe the laws 81
the Confederate States, AMI the instructions
given hem for regulai,ng their conduct; that
they shall satisfy all damages done cuntrar,
to the tennr thereof BY such vessel DARN.
her commission, and deliver up the sam,
when repaired BY the rresid nj Of the Con
federate States.
And d further specially enjoin on al
persons holding offices. civil aud military
under the authority Of the Confederate
States, that they be ,igilant and jealous II
the discharge Of duties incident thereto ; an,
do, moreover. solemnly exhort the GOO
people of the Confederate states, As the,
love their conntry. a. they prize the blessing
Of free government. as they ieel the srnng
Of the past aud those which are now threat
enrd in an aggravated form By those who's
; enmity IS more implacable because anPro
yoked, thai they exert themselves, m pre
serving order, in promoting concord IN main
tanning the Authority and efficacy Of the laws
ani in supporting and organizing all tn
measures which NAV be adopted for the com
mon defence. AMI By which. under the b. !.
ings Of Divine Providence, we may hope y
speedy. Just and honorable peace.
In Testimony whereof have hereunio =
my hand. aud caused the seal u The C"n
iederaie States 10 be affixed this eth ia
Of April. 1861.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
: By the President:
Ro. Tooas. Secretary al State.