The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-05-30
IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION.
WASHINGTON, May l9.-The Presidenl
has today issued the following E3b
By the President of the United States.
A PROCLAMATION.

PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, There appears in the public
prints what purports to be proclamation
of Major General Hunter and whereas,
the same is producing some excitement and
misunderstanding
Therefore, /, Abraham Lincoln, Presi-
dent of the United States, proclaim and
declare that the Government OF the United
States bad no knowledge or belief of an
intention on the part of Gen. Hunter to
issue such O proclamation, nor has it yet
any authentic information that the dOcu
ment is genuine and farther, that neither
Gen. Hunter, nor any other Commander or
person, has been authorized by the Governs
ment of the United States to make procla
nation declaring the slaves of any State
free, and that the supposed proclamation
now in question, whether genuine or false,
is altogether void so far as respects such
declaration.
further make known that whether it be
competent for me as Commanderin- Chief
of the Army and Navy, to declare the
slaves of any States or States free, and
whether at any time or in any case it shall
become necessity indispensable to the
maintenance of the government to exercise
such supposed power, are questions which
under my responsibility reserve to myself,
and which cannot feel justified in leaving
to the decision of commanders in the field.
These are totally different questions from
those of police regulations in armies and
camps.
On the 9Th day of March last, by spe'
p rial upccaun | recommended IN Gnno rpSQ
the adoption of joint resolution, to be
substantially as follows:
Resolved, That the United States ought to
cooperate with any State which may adopt a
gradual abolition of slavery, giving aid to
such States in its discretion. to compensate
tor the Inconvenience, public and private,
produced by such change of system.
The resolution on the language above
quoted was adopted by large majorities in
both branches of Congress, and now stands
en- authentic, definite and solemn proposal
OF the nation to the States and people most
interested in the subject matter. To the
people of these States now [ earnestly
appeal. do not argue, beseech you to
make the arguments for yourselves. You
cannot, it you would, be blind to the signs
OF the times. l beg OF you a calm and
enlarged consideration of them, ranging, if it
may be, far above personal and party poll
tics. This proposal makes comnutn cause
for a common object. Casting no reilroaches
upon any, it acts not the Pharisee. The
change it contemplates would come gently
as the dsws of Heaven, not rendng or
wreckiDg anything. Will you not embrace
it. So much COOL has not been done by
one effort in all past time as in the ProyiA
dence of God it is now your high privilege
to do. May the vast future not have to
to lament that you have neglected it.
In witness whereof, have Eereunto set
my hand, and caused the seal of the United
States to be annexed.
Done at the City of Washington, this
10Th day of May, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty two,
and OF the independence of the United
States the eighty-sixth.
Signed, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President:
WI. H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.