Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-26
LETTERS OF MARQUE AND RE-
PRISAL.
A PROCLAMATION BY JEFFERSON DAVIS.

/
The chief of the southern rebellion, has
responded to the proclamation of President
Lincoln BY proclamation inviting offers fox
privateers. 1t is as follows
| MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 18th.
Proc'oBaatl0a By the President of The Con-
tedeTate States Of America.
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, President Of
the United States has, by Proclamation. an
nounced his intention of invading the Con
| lederacy with an armed force. for the pur-
| pose of capturing its tortresses, and thereby
Subverting its independence. aud subjecting
the Tree people thereof to the miniOns of
foreign power and whereas, it has thus be-
come the duty OF this Government to rprel
the threatened invasion and defend The rights
and Liberties OF the people by all the means
which the laws of nations and the usages of
civilized warfare place at its disposal
Now. therefore, 1, Jefferson Davis, Presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America.
do issue this my proclamation, inviting ali
of those who may desire by service in private
armed vessels on the high seas, to aid this
government in resisting 50 wanton and
wicked an aggression, to make application
for commissions or letters Of Marque and
Reprisal, to be issued Under the seal of these
Confederate States, and DO further notify
all persons applying for letters of Marque,
to make a statement in writing, giving the
name and suitable description OF the eharae-
ter. tunnage and force Of the vessel. name of
the place of residence of each owner concern
ed therein, and the intended number of crew,
and TO sign each statement and deliver the
same to the Secretary of State, or Collector of
the port of ehtry of the Confederate States,
to be by him transmitted to the Secretary of
State. And do further notify all appli-
cants aforesaid, before any commission or
letters OF marque are issued to any vessels
the owners thereof, and the commander for
the time being, will be required to give
bond to the Confederate States, with at least
two responsible suretIes, not interested ia
such vessels, in the penal sum Of $4,000, or
1t such vesse's be provided with more than
10 men, then IN the nenal sum or SO, ,000
with the condition that owners, offsers and
crew who shall be employed on board such
commissioned vessels, shall observe the laws
of these Confederate States and the instruc-
lions given them for the regulation of their
conduct. that shall satisfy all damages done
contrary to the tenor thereof by such vessel
Turing her commission, and deliver up the
anne when revoaed by the President of the
Confederate States.
do further specially enjoin on all persons
holding offices, civil or military, under the
of the Confederate States, that they
DO ylgilant and Jealous in the discharge Of
he duties incident thereto and do moreover,
,xhort the good people of these Confederate
states, las they love their cOuntry-as they prize
ne blessings of free Government,-as they
eel the wrongs of the past and those now
threatened in an aggravated form, by those
Those enmity is more implacable because
they exert themselves in pre-
eryIng order, in promoting concord, in
the authority and efficiency Of
he laws, and IN supporting and invigorating
IL measures which may be adopted for
Ommou sdefence, and by which, under the
lessinS of Divine Providence, we may nope
or a speedy, just and honorable peace.
In witness whereof, have set nv hand
and have caused the seal of the Confed-
crate States Of America to be attached
this I7tI day of April, in the wear of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and sixty-One.
ISlgned JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Robert Ioombs, Secretary of State.