Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-05-23
Proclamation by the President.
WAsHIHGroN, May l9.
By tie President Of tie United S!a'er
A PROCLAMATION.

By tie President Of tie Un:teal Sa'er
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS. There appears in the Pablo
prints what purp1rts to be a proclamation Of
Major General Han,er; and whereas the same
is producing some excitement amt misunder-
standing, therefore I. Abraham Lincoln.
President Of the United States, proclaim and
declare That the Government Of the United
States bad no knowlrdge or belief of an inten-
tion on the part Of Gen. Hunter to issue such
proclamation. nor has it yet any authentic
iuf rmation that the document is genuine; and
further, that Ecithcr Gen Hunter nor any
other commander or person has been authoriz-
ed by the Government OF the United States to
make proclamation declaring the slaves ofa any
Safe free; and that the supposed prociama-
ton now in question, whether genuine or false
is altogether void so far Us respects such dec'a-
ration
! furthermore make known that whether it
be competent for me as COMMANDMENT Chief
of ihe army aud navy to declare the slaves Of
any State or States free, and whether at any
liIpe, or in any case it shall have become a
necefsity Indispensable to the maintenance Of
the Government TO exercise such supposed
power, are questions which, under my respon-
sibility reserve to myself, AMI which cannot
feel justified in leaving 10 the decisions of
commanders in the field. These are totally
different questions from those Of police regula-
iions in armies and camps.
On the 4ih day of March last, by special
message, I reCs nmended 10 Congress the
adoption Of joint resolution TO be subsian-
tally as follows:
Resolved, That the United States ought 10
cooperate with any State which may adopt
n gradual aboi=hmeut of slavery. giving to
such States. in is discretion, compensation for
the incouvenicnces. pablic and priva,e, pro-
duced by such changes Of system.
Tue resolution in the language above quoted
vas adopted by a large majority in both
branches Of Congress and now stands an au-
theH,ie, definite and solemn proPosa! of the
nation TO the States and people most interested
IN the snLwct matter.
To the people Of these Ststes now earn
! estly appeal. Do not argue, beseech yen to
make the arguments for yourselves; you cannot
| if you would. be blind to the signs Of the
/ times. beg of you calm aud enlarged con
st1SiAthu VI ttttlil 81 ~ bCp t'sl
I above personal and party politics. This pro-
1 posal makes a common course for common
! object casting no roproaches npon any. Il
acts not like the pharisee. The change il
| contemplates wou'6 come gently az the dews
Of heaven, not rcnding or wrccking anything
/ VIII yoa not embrace Il? So much good hat
not been done by one cff 'rt in all past 'ine, as
| in the providenco Of God, it is now your higl
privilege to do. May the vast future not have
I to lament that you have neglected it,
| In witness, whereof, have hereNnto set my
| hand and canSed the seal of the United State.
/ to be annexed-donc at tho City Of Washing
ton this 9th day Of May, in the year Of ou
Lord 1862, and Of the Independence Of 'h'
United States the S5lh, (SiEne,n
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States.
WV. q. SEWARD, Sec,y. Of State.