New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-20
GEN. HUNTERS EMANCIPATION
GREER.
reclamation by the President declaring 10
null aud void.

By the Pres,deat ef&e UrHed States.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, There appears in the public prints what
purpohs TO be proclamation of Major-Gen. Hsnter,
in the words and figures following, TO wit:
HrADorAkrERs DEpAErSgsT OF TIKI sourn,
HlLToN IRA. =. G., Nay q 1852.
GENRRsL ORDYys No. 1.-The thee : ates OF Georgia,
Flord. and Soun Carolns comprising the Military Depart
OF the south having deliberately decie themselves no
longer nnde the protection OF the UneG 9as' o. Aeies
ard having taken mp against The aid United states u be-
itaTy necessity declare them under martial law
lhs wa. accordingly done on The l5, dag Of hp1 itZ
Save grd martial law IL free country altogether nro-
po.ibe ihe person- those three >tse.Ge orsi Florida
era South Caryinahetoore hed a. ssys ss therefore
Msior-(ieneral Commanding.
OficsL-Ep. W. sxIrH Acting Asst. Adjutsni General
And rhereds, tie fame ia producing some excite
ment and Misunderstanding,
Therefore, ], Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
Unircd States, proclaim and declare that the Gov
eminent Of the United States Lad no knowledge or
belief OF an intention on tie part OF Gen. Hunter 70
issue such proclamation las il yet any authentic
information that the document is genuine; and,
further that neither Gen. Hunter, nor any other
commander, or person, has been authorized by the
Government of the United States TO make prcclama-
ton declaring the slaves Of any State free, ard that
the supposed proclamation now in question, whether
genuine false, is altogether void, 30 far respects
such declaration.
further make known hat whether it be compe-
tent for me, as Commsndes-iD-Chi OF the Army
aud Navy TO declare the slaves Of any State or
S;ates Free and whether at any tme or IN any case
it shall have become necessity indispensable 70 tic
maintenance of the Government TO exercise such
supposed power, are questions which, under my re-
sponsbiliiy, reserve to myself, and which cannot
feel justified in leaving 10 the decision OF command
.rs in the field. These are totally different ques-
tons from those OF police regulations in armies and
CAMPS.
On the 9th day of March last, bya special mes
sage. recommended to Congress the adoption Of
Join, resolution, to be substantially as follows:
R,st,d Tha, the United States ought to cooperate with
any sate which may adopt gradual sooshmen Of slavery
wing AID 10 aeh STATE In dcre ION to for the
public AID pns.,s Produced BY such change
OF system"
The resolution in the language above quoted was
adopted by large mWorities in both branches
Of Congress, and now stands an authentic,
definite, and solemn proposal of the nation to
The States and people most Immediately interested
in the subject matter. To the people OF
these States 1 now earnestly appeal. l DO
no. argue. be,ecch you TO make the arguments for
yourfeyes. You cannot, If you would, be blind 10
the signs OF the times. beg Of you calm and en-
iargeI consideration Of them ranging, if it may be,
far above personal and partisan politics.
Thi, proposal makes couimon cause for common
oljec, casting reproaches upon any. II acts not
the Phari-ee. Tie change ii contempates would
come gently the dews Of heaven, not rendiug or
wreeking anything. VIII you not embrace it So
much good has not been done by one effort in all
past time, rs in the Providence OF God il is your
high privilege TO d. May the vast future not have
to lamen, that you have neglected it.
Ia witness whereof have hereunto set my hand
aud caused the seal of the United States TO bs affixed.
Done ut the City Of Washington this 18th day Of
May, in tie year Of Lord Que thousand eight
hundred snd sixty-two and Of tie independence Of
tie United States the eighty-sixth.
~ the Precedent ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
WV. H. SEWARD, Secretary ofStee.