Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1861-04-26
PRESIDENT DAVIS
PROCLAMATION,
PROCLAMATIONB 3 Y TIE PRES
DENT or THE CONFEOERAIE
STA TEsS OF a AMEIpICA.

WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, president
of the United States, has, by proclamation,
announced his intention of invading this
Confederacy with an armed force for the
purpose ct capturing the fortresses, amt
thereby subverting its independence, and
suhiecting the free people thereon to tho
dominion of a foreign power; and, whereas,
it has thus become the duty OF this govern
ment to repel the threatened nvaslon, and
defend the rights and liberties of the peopis
by all means which the laws OF nations and
tie usage OF civil zed warfare placed at its
disposal
Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, Pres
dent of the Confederate States of America.
do issue this my proclamation, inviting all
those that may desire to be OF service 10
private armed vessels on the seas, to al I!
this government in resisting so wanton and
wicked an aggression, to make appllcatl III
tor commissions or letters of marque an I
reprisal to be issued under the seal OF tl.'s
Confederate States, and do further not
fly all persons applying for letters II
marque, to make a statement in writing,
giving the name and suitable descripii-.
of the character, tonnage and force OF ,cs-
sell name and place OF residence OF eae,t
owner concerned therein and intend<.
number Of crew, and to sign such STA -
menr, and TO deliver the same to the Sc
retary Of State or collector OF a port OF e's-
try OF the Confederate States or colicct"f
OF 4 port OF entry of the Confederate State~,
to be by him transmitted to the Secretary
Of State and do further Lofty all al'f't-
cants aforesaid, before any commission 'lr
letter of marque is issued to any vessel,
or the owner or owners thereof, ana G an
mander for the time being, that they arc
required to give bond to the Contedefst,
States, with ut least two responsible sAr.-
ties not interested in such vessel. III ihS
penal sum Of five thousand dollars, OF IN
case such vessel be provided with HI 're
| than one hundred and fifty met. then III
the penal sum OF ten thousand dollars,
with condition that the owners, officers,
and crew, who shall be employed On board
such commissioned vessel, shall observa
the laws OF the Confederate States anI NJ
structions given them for regulating tfterf
conduct: that they shall satisfy all M
ages done contrary to the tenor there2f ny
such vessel during her commission, aild
deliver up the same when required by tire
President of the Confederate States. q.
further specially enioin on all persons hii-
ding Offices, civil and military. under the
| authority Of the Confederate States, that
they be vi@ilant in the discharge OF the
| duties incident thereto !; and | do morco-
yer solennly exhort the good people, 1t
the Confederate States, as they love tf.~ir
country, and as they prize the blessings "f
| free government as they fee. the wrongs
of the past and those which are now thre s
ene5l in an aggras ated form by those whoee
enmity is more implacable because unpf'
voked, that they exert themselves III pre-
serving order, in promoting concord, In
maintaining the authority and efficacy OF
the laws, and i'll supporting and organi2-
ing all the measures which may be adopt
ed for the common defence, and by which,
under the blessings Of Divine Providence
we may hope for a speedy, just and hon.
orable peace.
In testimony whereof here
} SEAL. unto set my hand and zeal, this
49, } 18th day of April, 1861.
JEFFERSON DAVIS
By the President:
Ro. TooMBs, Secretary OF State