Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-20
Proclamation of Jefferson Dnyis-Propos
mi a Is.ue I.nffera nf lInnnna nd

Proclamation of Jefferson Dnyfs-PrOpOs
sal TO Issue Letters of Marque and
j eprisal, I-.
MONTGOMERY, April IT, 1s6l.-Whereas,
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
StateS has by proclamation announced in
tenrion of invading the Confederacy with
sn armed force, Tor the purpose of capturing
its foIiresses and thereby subvertiug its in
dependence and subjecting the free people
thereof to the dominion of a foreign power;
and whereas, it has thus become the duty of
this governmental Iepel the threatened in-
vasioD, and defend the rights and liberties
of the people by all the means which the
laws of nations and usages of civilized war
fare place at its disposal.
Now, therefore, |, Jefferson Davis, Presi-
cent of the Confederate States of America,
do issue this, my Proclamation, inviting ali
those who may desire, by 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
reprisal, to be issued under the seal of these
Confederate States; and do further notify
all persons applying for letters of marque
to make statement in writing, giving the
name ard suitable description of the char
acter, tuDnsge and force of the vessel, name
of the place and residence OF the owner con-
cerDed 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 Secretary of State, and do
further notify all applicants aforesaid, before
any commission or letter of marque is issued
to any vessel, or the owner or the owners
thereof and the commander for the time
being, they will be required to give bond to
tho uE 1erafa Sfotau with at
responsible 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 10000 with the
condition that the owners, officers and crew
who shall be employed on board such COM
missioned vessel shall observe the laws of
these Confederate States, and the instruc-
tions given them for the regulation of their
conduct, that shall satisfy all damages 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.
do further specially enjoin on all persons
holding offices, civil and military, under the
authority of the Confederate States, that
they be Vigilant and Jealous in the discharge
of the duties incident thereto; aud | do,
moreover, exhort the good people of these
Confederate States, as they love their couu-
try-as they prize the blessings OF Tree gov
er1ment-as they feel the wrongs of the
past, and those now threatened in an aggra-
yated form by those whose enmity is more
implacable, because unproyoked-they exert
themselves in preserving order, in promoting
concord, lin maintaining the authority and
efficacy Of the laws, and in supporting, in-
vigOrating all the measures which may be
adopted for a common defense, and by which,
under the blessings of Divine Providence,
We may hope for a speedy, just and honor
able peace.
In witness whereof, have set my hand
and have caused the seal of the Confederate
States Of America TO be attached this 18th
day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1861
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
ROBERT TooMBs, Secretary of State.