The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-01-07
BY the President of the Confederate
States,
A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas a communication was ad-
dressed or the 9th Of July last, (lS62,)
by General Robert E. Lee, acting under
the instructions Of the Secretary Of War
of the Confederate States Of America, TO
General ii. w. Halleck, General in Chief
Of the United States army, informing the
latter that report had reached this Gov.
eminent that VIM. B. Mun,ford, a citizen
Of the Confederate States, had been exc
cuted by the United States authorities at
New Orleans, for having pulled down the
United States flag in that city before its
occupation by the forces Of the United
States, and calling for statement Of the
facts. with view to retaliation # such
an outrage had really been committed
under sanction Of the authorities OF the
United States:
And whereas, (no answer having been
received to said letter. another letter
was, on the ID August last, (ls62) ad.
dressed by General Lee, under my in
structions, to General IIalIeck, renewing
the inquiry in relation TO the said execu-
ton Of said Mumford, with the iniorma.
ton that in the event of not receiving
reply within fifteen days, it would be as
sumed that the fact alleged WAS true and
was sanctioned by the Government of the
United States:
And whereas, an answer dated on the
7th August last, (lse2, was addressed
to General Lee by General Ii. w. Hal.
leck, the said General.in Chief of the ar
my OF the United Ststes, alleging sufii
cient cause for failure to make early 70
ply to said letter Ct 9Th July, asserting
that "no authentic information had been
received in relation to the execution Of
Mumford. but measures will Je immedi
a.ely taken to ascertain the facts of the
alleged execution" and promising that
General Lee should be duly informed
thereof:
And whereas, on the 20ih November
last, 1852 another letter Was addressed,
under my instructions, by Rober, Ould,
Confederate Agent 70. The exchange of
prisoners under the cartel between the
two Govornments, 10 Lieut.. Col. w. Ii.
Ludlow, Agent Of the United States un.
der said cartel, informing him that the
explanations promised ir the said letter
OF General Halleck Of 7th Of August last,
had not yet been received, and that il no
answer WAS sent to the Government with
in fifteen days from the delivery of this
last communication, it would he consid
cred that an answer is declined
And whereas, by letter, dated on the
Sd day Of the present month Of Decem
Der, the said Lieut.. Col. Ludlow. sp
prissd the said Robert Ould that the
above recitsd communication Of 29tb No.
vember had been received and forwarded
TO the Secretary Of War Of the United
States:
And whereas, this last delay Of fifesn
days allowed for answer has elapsed, and
no answer has been received {:
And whereas. in addition TO the taci,
admission resulting from above refusal 10
answer, | have received evidence fully a..
tablisbing the truth Of the fac. tha, the
said William b. Mumford, a citizen Of
this Confederacy, was actually and pub.
licly executed in cold blood by hanging,
after the occupation Of the city Of New
Orleans by tue forces under the com.
mand Of General Benjamin +. Butler,
when said Mumford was an unresis,inp
and non combatsnt captive, and for no
offence even alleged to have been com
mitted by him sub,equen: to the date Of
the capture Of the said city:
And whereas, the silence Of the Gov
eminent Of the United States, and its
maintaining Of said Butler in high office
under its authority, for many months Al.
ter his commission OF an act that can bs
viewed in no other light than as a deIibs
rate murder, s we'll as OF numerou. other
outrages and atrocities hereafter 10 be
mentioned, afford evidence only too con.
elusive, that the said Government sane.
tons the conduct Of said Butler, and i,
determined that be shall remain unpun.
isbed for his crimes.
Now, therefore, |, Jefferson DAVIS, Pres
ident Of the Confederate States OF Ame,i.
CO, and in their name, do pronounce and
declare the said Benjsmin +. Butler 10
be feleo, deserving Of capital punish.
ment. do order Mat he be no lonoer
considered or treated as q public enemy
Of the Confederate States Of America, but
as IN outlaw and common enemy Of
pxsnIina sd sL.t L. r. -. 80.