The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-09-06
Gen. Fremont Declares Martial Law
in the State.

Il Wheeling InteLltgencer.
Gen. Fremont Declares Martial Law
in the State.
ST.. Louis, August 21.-The fol-
lowing proclamation was issued this
morning:
HsAD QuARrEns. Wssrsss DspAarxruY,
Sr. Louis. August 30.
Circumstances, in my Judgment,
render it necessary that the Com
manding General III this Depart
ment should assume the adminissrs.
tive power OF tho state.
Its disorganized condition; the
helplessness Of civil authority; the
total insecurity of life, and the de.
vastation OF property by bands OF
marauders who infess nearly every
county in the state, and avail them.
selves Of the public misfortunes and
the vicinity Of q hostile force, to
gratiiy private and neighborhood ven
geance, end who find an enemy
wherever they find plumber, finally
demand the severest measures 10
repress the daily increasing crimes
and ontrages which are driving of
the inhabitants and ruining the
state.
In this condition the public safety
and success ofour arns r, qnire UNITY
of purpose. witont let or hindrancc
to the prompt administration OF al.
fairs.
In order, therefore. to suppress
disorder. to maintain, ss far as is
now practicable. the public peace,
and to give security and protection
to the persons and property OF 10y al
citizens, | do hereby extend and dc
clare established, Martial Law
throughout tho state of Missouri.
The line Of the army OF occupation
in this state are for tho present de.
clared to extend from Leuvenworth
by way OF tho pos. OF Jefferson City
ltOlla anil lronton, To Cape Girar.
deau on the Mississippi river.
All persons who shall be taken
with. arms in their hands within these
lines shall be tried hy a court mar.
ti-l, and IL found guilty will be shot.
The property, real and personal
OF all persons in the state OF Mlssou
ri, who shall take up arms agsinst
tho United States, or who shall DO
directly proven to have taken an
active part with their enemies in the
field, is declared TO be confscased to
the public use. and their slaves, ii
any they have. are hereby declared
FREE MEN.
All persons who shall be proven
to have destroyed (sfter the public
alton OF this order) railroad tracks,
bridges or telesrsphs. shsll suffer the
extreme penalty Of this law.
All persons engaged in reasonable
correspondence 10 giving, or pro.
curing aid. to the enemies of the
United States, in iomenting ,umults,
in disturbing the public tranquility
by creating and circulating false re-.
ports, or incendiary documents, are.
for thei rown interest, warned that
they are exposing themselves to SO.
we're and sudden puishm, mt.
All persons who have been led
away from their allegiance arc re.
quired to return forthwith to their
homes. and any such absence, with
out sufficient cause, will be held TO
be presumtive evidence against
them.
The object Of this declaration is
to place 10 the hands OF the military
authorities the power TO give instant.
sneous effect TO existing lave and
to supply such deficiencies as the
conditions Of war demand, but il is
not intended 10 suspend the ordinary
tribunals OF the country, where the
law will be administered by the
civil officers in the usual manner,
and with their customary authority, +,
while tho Same can DO pesceably ex,
ercised.
The Commanding General will
labor vigilsntly for the public wei.
fare, and in bic efforts for their safe.
ty, hopes to obtain not only the &C.
quiesccnoe, but the active support Of
the people Of the country.
j. O. FRRNoNr,
Major General Commanding.