The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-05-22
The Southern Rebels Declara-
fion .f War Against the United
States.


States
The Montgomery Gala papers con-
tain the Secession Declaration of War
against the United States. occupying a
column and three quarters; but annexed is
the only portion Of general interest.
An act recognizing the existexce of acar
bet,ceen the United States and the Con
tederdts States, and concerning letters
Of marqas, prizes and prize goods
WHEREAS, The earnest efforts made by
this Government to establish friendly re.
ations between the Government of the
United States and the Confederate States,
aud to settle all qaestions' of disagree
ment between the two Governments upon
principles Of right, justice. equality and
good faith, have proved unavailing, by
reason of the refusal of the Government
of the United States to hold any inter-
course with the Commissioners appointed
by this Government for the purpose afore-
said, or to listen to any proposal they
had to make for the peaceful solution of
all causes of difficulty between the two
Governments, and whereas the President
of the U tied States of America has is
sued his proclanation making requisition
upon tue States of the American Union
for 70. 600 men, for the purpose, as there
10 indicated, of capturing forts and other.
stroBghoids within the jurisdiction of and
belonging to the Confederate States of
America, and has detailed naval anna
msn's upon the coasts OF the Confederate
States of America, and raised, organized,
and equipped large military force to ex.
ecute the purpose aforesaid, and has is
isued his other proclamation announcing
his purpose to set Oh foot blockade Of
the ports of the Confederate States; and
whereas the State of Virginia has seeded
from the Federal Union, and entered into
a Convention of alliance, offensive and
defensive, with the Confederate States,
and has adopted the Provisional Consti.
tutien Of The said States. and the States
of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennes.
s:e, Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri.
have refused, a1d it is believed that the
S ate Of Delaware, and the inhabitants of
the Territories Of Arizona and New Mex
leo, aud the Irdiana Territory. South of
Kansas, will refuse to cooperate with the
Government of the United States in these
acts of hostiities aud wanton aggression,
which are plainly intended to overawe,
oppress and finally subjugate The people
of the Confederate States; and whereas
by the acts and means aforesaid war ex-
lists between the Confederate States aud
the Government of the United States and
the States AID Territories thereof, excep,
tae Safes of Maryland, North Carolina
Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas. Missouri
aud Delaware, and the Territories of Ari.
xona and New Mexico, and be Indian
! Territories Sourh of Kansas; therefore
Sec. |. The Congress of the Oeafeder-
q Sta 81 of America do enact that the
President of the Confederate States is
b :reby authorized TO use the WI o!e laid
and naval force of the Confederate States
to meet the war thus commenced, and to
issue to private armed vessels commits
sons of marque and general reprisal. in
such form as he shall think proper, under
the seal Of the Confederate States, agains,
the vessels, goods, and effects of the
Government of the United States, and OF
the citizens or Inhabitants of the States
, aad Territories herein before named
Prortded, however. that property Of the
enemy (unless it be contraband of war;
laded on board neutral vessel shall 40.
be subject to seizure under this act: Aad
provided, Jurthsr, that vesselsof the citi-
zens or Inhabitants of the United States
f nowin the ports Of the Confederate States.
except such as have been since the 5th
of April last, or may hereafter te, in the
service of the Government OF the United
States, shall be allowed thirty days after
the publication of this act to leave said
: ports aud reach their destination; and
vessels and their cargoes, excepting srti-
! cles contraband of war, shall not be sab,
: ject to capture under this act during said
, period, unless they shall have previously
reached the destination for which they
were bound on leaving said ports.