Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-04-18
PIRATES CALLED FOR.

MONTGOMERY, April 1.-THE following
proclamation has been issued by the president
of the confederate states -
"Whereas Abraham Lincoln, president of
the United States has announced an intention
to invade this cOntedcracy with an armed
force, for the purpose of capturing IFS fort
resses, and thereby subvertng its indepen-
dence, and subjecting a free people to the do
minion OF a foreign power, and whereas 1t has
thus become the duty o. this government 10
repel the threatened invasion, and defend the
rights and liberties of the people, by al. the
usages of civilized warfare placed at It's dls'
posal, now therefore,
| Jefferson Davis, President of the Contede'
rate States of America do issue this my proc
amaton. inviting all those who may desire by
armed 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 reprisa to be issued under the
seal OF the confederate states; and | do further
notify all persons applying for letters OF
marque, to make a statement in writing CIV
ing the name and suitable description of the
character, tonnage, and force of the vessel,
name OF the place OF residence of each owner
concerned therein, and the intended number
of the crew, and to sign each statement and de-
liver the same to the secretary OF state OF the
collector of the port of entry OF these cOnfed-
crate states, to be by him transmitted to the
secretary OF state.
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 the commander fer the time be-
ing, that they will be required to give bond to
the confederate states, with at least two re-
sponsble sureties not interested in such vessel,
in the penal sum OF $4,000; or if such vessel
be provided with more than $50 men, then in
the penal sum of $4,000, with the condition
that the owners, officers, and crew, who shall
be employed on board such commissioned yes
sci, shall observe the laws of these confederate
states, and the instructions given them for the
regulation of their conduct--that they shall
satisfy all damages done contrary to the tenor
thereof, by such vessel during the commission
and deliver up the same when revoked by the
president OF the confederate states; and do
further especially DIN on all persons holding
offices, civil or military, under the authority
OF the confederate states, that they be vigilant
and jealous in the discharge of the duties in
cumbent thereto; and do moreover solemnly
exhort the good ptople of these confederate
states as they love their country, as they
prize the blessings of a free government
and feel the wrongs of the past and those
now threatened, and inaugurated III form
by those whose minority is the more
impacabl3 because unprovoked, that they ex.
ert themselves in preserving order, in promot-
ing concord, in maintaining the authority and
efficacy of the laws, and in supporting and in
MIGRATING all the measures which may be
adopted. For common defence, and by which,
under the blessing of Divine Providence, we
may hope for a speedy, just, and honorable
peace.
In testimony whereof, / have hereto set
my hand and seal, this, the seventeenth day
of April.
Signed. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
New ORLEANS, April l6.-Several vessels
are fitting out here in anticipation Of an issue
of letters of marquee