The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-01-09
THE GREAT EVENT OF
THE AGE.
Emancipation Proclaimed.
WASHINGTON, Jan. |, 1868.
By the President of the United States Of
America.
a PROCLAMATION.

America.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, On the 22d day of September, in
the year of our Lord 1862. a Proclamation
was issued by the President of the United
States, containing, among other things, the
following, to wit
That on the first day of January,in the year
of our Lord 1868, all persons held as slaves
within any state or designated part of state'
the people whereof shall then be in rebel
lion against the United States, shall be then,
thenceforth and forever free, AMI the .Execu-
tive Government of the United States, inclu-
ding the military authorities thereof, will re-
cognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons, and will do no act or acts to repress
such persons or any of them in any effort
thew NAV make for their actual freedoms; that
the Executive will on the first day of January
atore said, by proclamation, designate the
states and parts of states. if any, in which
the people therein respectively shall then be
in rebellion against the United States; and
the fact that any state or the people thereof
~hall on that day be in good faith represented
in the Congress of the United States, by
menlhers-chosen thereto at elections where
in majority Of the qualified voters of such
state shall have par,icirated-shall in the alb
sence of strong countervailing testimony, be
deemed concluvive evidence That such state
and the people thereof are not then in rebel
lion against the United States.
Now, therefore. |, ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of Tie nited States. by virtue of
the power in me vested, as commanner-in-
chief of the army and navy Of the United
States. in time of actual armed rebellion
against the authority and government of the
United States, and as necessary war meas
ure, do, on this first day of January in the
wear Of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and six;y-three, and in accor-
dance with my purpose so TO do, publicly
proclaimed for the fall period of one hun
dred DAYS from the day first above men-
toned. order and designate as the states and
paris of states wherein the people thereof
respectively are this day in rebellion against
the United States, the following, to wit: Ar
kansas. Texas, Louisiana, except the parishes
of s.. Bernard. Placquemines, Jefferson, St.
John. 81. Charles, ST. james, Ascension, As
sumption, Terrc R0nnP I.afourche. st. Mary.
s.. Martin and Orleans, including the city OF
New Orleans; Mississippi, Alabama, Florl-
da, Georgia, South Carolina. North Carolina
and Virginia, except the forty-eight counties
designated as West Virginia. and also the
counties of Bcrkley, Accomac, Northamton,
Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann and Nor
folk. including the cities of Norfolk and
Portsmouth, and which accepted parts are
for the present left precisely as if this proc
lamation were not issued.
And by virtue of the power and. for the
purpose aforesaid do order and declare that
all persons held as slaves within said desis
rated states and parts of states, are and
henceforward shall be free, and that the
Executive Government of the United States,
including the military and naval authorities
thereof will recognize and maintain the free
dom of said persons; and hereby enjon
upon the people so declared to be free to ab-
stain from ali violence, unless in necessary
self-detensc. And recommend to them in
all cases when allowed, to labor faithfully for
reasonable wages, and further declare end
make known that such persons OF suitable
condition will lie received into the armed ser
vice of the United States, to garrison forts.
positions. stations and other places, and 10
man vessels of all sorts in said service. And
upon this act, sincerely believed to be an
act of Justice. warrented by the Constitution
upon military necessity, | invoke the consid-
erate Judgment of mankind and the gracious
favor OF Almighty God.
In witness whereof. have hereunto SGT
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this first
day OF January, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and
Of the independence of the United States o
America the eighty seventh.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President.
WM. II. SEWARD, Secretary Of State.