American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-01-16

Proclamation Iy ths President Of the United
States Of Amevse4.

y
States Of Amevsea.
WAsHIsoroS, Jan. I, 1868.
WHEREAS, On the 22nd day of September,
in the year OF cur Lord. 1862 proclamation
was issued by the President of the United
States, containing, among other things. the
following, to-wii: That en- the Ist day of
January, in the year of cur Lord Is63, all
persons held as slaves within any State or
designated parts Of State, the people there
of shall then be in rebellion against the
United States, shall be then, henceforth and
forever free, ana the executive government: of
the United States, including the naval and
military authority thereof, will recognize and
maintain the freedom of such persons, or any
of them in anv effort they may make for
their actual freedom. That the Executive
will on the first day of January aforesaid,
issue proclamation designating the States
and parts OF States, II any, in which the peo-
pie therein res ecrively shall then be in re-
belIion against the United States, and the
fact tina. any State, the people thereof
shall on that day DE in good faith represent
ed in the Congress of the United States by
members ehosea thereto At elections wherein
majority Of the qualified voters of such
State shall have participated, and shall in
the absence of strong countervaiiing testimo-
ny, be deemed conclusive evidence that snch
State, and the people thereof, are not in re-
bellion against the United States.
Now. therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, Pres
ident OF the United States, by virtue of the
power in me vested as commander-in- chief
of the army and navy, in time of actual
armed rebellion against the authority of the
government OF the United States, AS a fit and
necessary war measure, for suppressiDg said
rebellion, do on this first day of January, in
the year of our Lord 1868, and in accordance
with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaim
for the full period of one hundred days from
the date of the first above mentioned order.
and designate as the States and parts of
States wherein the people therefore respect
lively, are this dav in rebellion against the
United States, the following, to-wit: Arkan-
sas. Texas. Louisiana. except the parishes of
st. Bernard, Plaqucmine, Jefferson, St Johns,
Sakos, ST. James, Ascension. Assumption
Terre Bonnie, La Fourche, ST. rary's. ST.
Martin and Orleans including the city of
New Orle1-e, Mississippi, Alabama. Florida
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and
Virginia, except the forty eight counties de-
signated rs Western Virginia aud also the six
counties of Berkeley, Accomac, Northamp-
ton, Elizabeth City, York. Princess Anne
and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk
and Portsmouth, which excepted parts are
for the present left precisely if this proc
lamation were not issued; aud by virtue of
the power, ard for the purpose aforesaid,
do order and declare that all persons hello as
slaves within the designated State. are and
henceforward shall be free, and that the
executive by government the United States.
including the military authorities there, will
recognize and maintain the freedom of said
persons; and / hereby enjoin npon the peo-
pie so declared to be free, to abstain from all
violence, unless in necessary self defense !;
and l recommend to them that in all cases
when allowed, they labor for reasonable
wages and l further declare and make
known that such persons of suitable eondi-
ton will be received into the armed service
of the United States, to garrison forts, posi-
tons, States and other places. and to man
vessels of all sorts in said service, aud upon
this it is sincerely believed TO be act of
Justice warranted by the Constitution upon
military necessity
invoke the eonsiderate judgment of man
kind and the gracious favor of Almighty
God, and in witness thereof, have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington. this first
day of January, 1863. and of the independ-
ence of the United States of America the
87th. BY the President,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
W. II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.