American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1863-12-16
PROCLAMATION

ACCOMPANYING PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The following proclamation is appended
to the message:
4 PRocLAMATIoN.- Whereas, In and by
the Constitution of the United States, it
is provided that the President shall have
power to grant reprieves and pardons for
offenses against the United States, except
in cases of impeachment; and Whereas,
rebellion now exists whereby the loyal
States and governments of several States
have, for long time, been subverted, and
many persons have committed and are
now guilty of treason against the United
States; and Whereas, with reference to
said rebellion and treason, laws have been
enacted by Congress dc wing the forfeit
ure and confscation of property, and lib
GRAFTON of slaves, all upon terms and con-
ditions therein stated and also declaring
that the President was thereby authorized
at any time thereafter, by proclamation, to
extend to persons who may have partici-
pated in the existing rebellion-in any
State or part thereof-pardon and amnes-
ty, with such exceptions, and at such
times, and on such conditions as he may
deem expedient for the public welfare.
And Whereas, the congressional decla-
ration of limited and conditional pardon,
accords with well established Judicial ex-
positions of the pardoning power; and
Whereas, with reference 70 said rebellion
the President of the United States has is
sued several proclamations, with provis-
ions in regard to the liberation of slaves I;
and Whereas, it is now desired by some
persons heretofore engaged in said relcll-
ion to resume their allegiance to the Uni
ted States, and re-inaugurate loyal State
governments within and for their respec-
tive States;
Therefore |, Abraham Lincoln, Presi-
dent of the United States, do proclaim
declare and make known to all persons
who have directly, or by implication, par
ticipated in the existing rebellion, except
as hereinafter excepted, that full pardon
Is granted to them and each of them, with
restoration of all rights and property, ex-
cept as to slaves, and property in cases
where the rights of third parties shall
have interviewed, and upon the condition
that every such person shall take and sub
scribe an oath, and thenceforward keep
and maintain said oath inviolate, and
which oath shall be registered for perma-
nent preservation, and shall be of the
tenor and effect following, to wit:
81 do solemnly swear, in presence of
Almighty God, that / will henceforth
faithfully support, protect and defend the
tuition Of the US;ted States, and the
union o States thereunSer; and that /
VIII, In hkS manner, abide by and faith
luhy support ~ acts Of Congress passed
during the existinA rebellion with refer
ence to slaves, so lons and so far as not re-
pealed, modified or held sa;d by Congress
br by decision of the Sureeme Court
and that I will, in ike manner, sbide by
hnd faithfully support all proclamatpsas Of
the President, inada during the existing
rebellion, having referapce to slaves, Sc
long and SO far as not modified or declared
void BY decision Of the Supreme Court
So help me God"
The persons excepted from the benefits
~ the foregoing provisions, are all who
e or shall have been civil Of diplomatic
6cer Or agents Of The so-callsd Confed-
aate Government; I'll who have left ju.
diciai stations under the United States
70 aid in the rebellion; al who resign
q their commissions IL the army and
u 1 the United States, and after
I'D the rebellion, and al Who
e sey way y :zsatine e;