The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-02
in arms aginst the Rebellion which only they
supported, it will learn that its last hope of
success has finally dcparted.-Daiiy Tribune
JEFF Davis Proclamation Of Retalia'
ton.

NEW YORK, Dec. q.
The following are extracts from JEFF Davis
proolamation. After detailing the facts abou
the execution Of Mumford at New Orleans
JEFF Davis says:
Snow, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, Presi
dent of the Confederate States OF America, anC
in their authority, do pronounce and declar,
the said Benz +. Butler to be felon, deserv
ing Of capital punishment. do order that h,
shall no longer be considered or treated merel,
as q public enemy of the Confederate States o
America, but as an outlaw and common enem,
of mankind, and that, In the event Of his cap
ture, the officer in command Of the capturing
do cause him TO DO Immediately executed by
hanging. And do further order, that M
commissioned officer of the United States taker
captive shall be released on parole before ex
changed until said Butler shall have met will
due punishment for his crimes. And, wherca.
the hostilties waged against the Confederacy
by the forces of the United States under thu
command of the said Benz. +. Butler have born,
no resemblance to such warfare as is alone per.
missible by the rules Of international law OIL
the usage of civilization, but have been char.
acterized by repeated atrocities and outrages'
-(Ilere follows list Of alleged atrocities com
mitted by Butler and and his command, includ.
ing his confscation order)
The proclamation concludes rs follows:
"And, whereas the President of the United
States has, by public and official declarations
SIGHTED not only his approval of the effort to
excite seryile war within the Confederacy, but
his intention to give aid and encouragement
thereto IL these independent States shall con-
tinue to refuse submission to a foreign foe at.
ter the FIRST day of January next, and has thus
made known that all appeal to the law OF na-
tions of the dictates of reason and the instincts
OF humanity woulds be addressed in vain to
our enemy, and that they can be deferred from
the commission Of these crimes only by the ter
rOrs of Just retribution, now, therefore, l, JET
ferson Davis, President Of the Confederate
States Of America, and acting by their authorl.
~, appealing to the Divine Judge in attesting
that their conduct is not guided by the passion
of revenge, but that they reluctantly yield to
the solemn duty of redressng, by necessary
severity, crimes of which their citizens are the
victims 10 issue this proclamation, and, by yir-
tue OF my authority as Commander-in-chiet OF
the armies of the Confederate States, do order :
LIST. That all commissioned officers in the
command of the said Benz. L. Butler be de-
clared not entitled to be considered as soldiers
engaged in honorable warfare, but as robbers
and criminals, deserving death, and that they
and each of them be, whenever captured, re-
served for execution.
2d. That private soldiers and non-commis-
be considered as only the instruments used for
the commission of the crimes perpetrated by
his orders, and not as free agents; that they,
therefore, be treated when captured as prison.
ers Of war, with kindness and humanity, and
be sent home on the usual parole that they will
in no manner aid or serve the United States in
any capacity during the continuance OF this
war. unless duly exchanged.
Sd. That all negro slaves captured IN arms
be at once delivered over TO the executive au-
thorities of the respective States to which they
belong, TO be dealt with accorning to the laws
of said State.
4. That the like orders be executed in oil
cases with respect to all commissioned officers
of the United States when found serving in
company with the said slaves in instruction
against the authorities Of the different States OF
this Contederacy.
In testimony whereof, / have signed these pres
ents. and caused the seal of the Coniedfede-
rate States of America 10 be affixed thereto.
Mt the City of Richmond, on this Odd day of
December, in the year of our Lord one thous-
and eight hundred and sixty-two.
(Signed) JEFnRsoS DAVIS.
BY the President:
J. p. BENJAMIN, Secretary Of State.