The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-04-25
Proposal to Issue Letters of Marque and
Reprisal.
Montgomery. April Is

Montgomery, April is.
Proclamation by the President Of the
Confederate States Of America:
Whereas. Abraham Lincoln, President
Of the United States, has, by proclama-
tion, announced intention Of invading the
Confederacy with an armed force, Cor the
purpose of capturing it's fortresses, and
thereby subverting its independence, and
subjecting the people thereof to the domin.
ion of foreign Power ; and. whereas, it
has become the duty of this Government
20 :epel tie threatened invasion, aud de-
fend the rights and liberties of the people
by all the means which the laws of nations
and usages of civilized warfare place "A.
its disposal Now. therefore, |, Jefferson
Davis, President Of the Confe derate States
of America, do issue this, my proclama-
ton, inviting all those who may desire by
service in private armed vessels on the
high seas. to aid this government In re-
sisling so wanton and wicked an agrees
ion, to make application for commissions
or letters of marque and reprisal. to be
issued under the seal of these confederate
States, and do further otify all persons
applying for letters OF marque to make a
statement iu writing. giving the name and
suitable description OF tie character, ton
mage aud 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 de-
liver the same to the Secretary Of State or
Collector Of the port Of entry Of these
Confederate States. to be by him trans
mitted to the Sec retary of State, and l do
further notify all applicants aforesaid be
fore ahy commissions or letters Of marque
are issued TO any vessel, or owners thereof
and the commander for the time being,
they will be required 10 give bond TO the
Confederate States, with at least two re
sponsible sureties not interested in such
vessel. in the penal sum of $1,000. with
the condition that the owners, officers and
crew who shall be employed on board such
commissioned vessel, slall observe the
laws Of these Confederate States, and the
instructions given them for the regulation
OF the conduct, t at shall satisfy all dam
ages done contrary to the tenor thereof By
such vessel during her commission, and
deliver up the same when revoked by the
President Of the Confederate States. And
| do further specially enjoin on all persons
holding Offices. civil or military. under the
authority of the Confederate States, that
they be vigi' ant & jealous it, the discharge
of the duties incident thereto, and 1 dc
moreover exhorl the good people of these
Confederate States, as they love their
country, as they prize the blessing of a
flee government,as they feel the wrongs OF
the past and those now threatend in an ag-
gravated form, by those whose EMMY il
more implacablc because unprovoked,
they exert themselves in preserving order,
in pronp ing concord, in maintaining the
authority and efficacy of the laws, and in
supporting. invigorating all the measures
which may be adopted for a common de-
fence. and by which. under the blessing Of
Divine Providence, we may hope for a
speedy, just and honorable peace.
in witness whereof have set my land
and have caused the seal of these Confed-
crate States of America 10 be attached.
this III, day of April, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-one.
JEFF RSON DAVIS,
ROBERT TooMBs, Secretary.