The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-01-07

BY THE PRESIDENT OF The UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA-A PRoCLAMA.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA-A PRoCLAMA.
TIoN.
Whereas, on the twenty-second day OF
September, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and six-two,
Proclamation was issued by the President
of the Uuted Statos, containing among
other things the following, to wit:
"That on the First Day of January. in
the Year of our Lord One Thousand
Eight Hundred and Sixty,three, all per-
sons held as Slaves within any State, or
designated part of State, the people
whereof shall then be in rebellion against
the United States, shall be thenceiorword
and FOREVER FREE. and the Executive
Goverr meut of the United States, includ
ing the Military aud Naval authority
thereof, will recognize and maintain the
freedom of such persons, and will do no
act or acts to repress such pessons, or any
ui them. in any efforts they may make for
their actual freedom.
"That the Executive will on the first
day of January aforesaid, by Proclama.
tion, designate the States and parts of
States, if any in which the people thereof
respectively shall then be III Rebellion
against the United States; and the fact
that any State, or the people thereof,
shall on that day be in good faith repre-
sented in the Congress of the United
States by Members chosen thereto at cleo
tions wherein majority of the qualified
voters of such State shall have participat-
ed, shall, in the absence of strong coun-
tervaillng testimony, be deemed conclu-
sive evidence that such State and the
PEOPLE thereof are not then in Rebellion
against the United States
Now, therefore. |. ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States, by virtue
of the power in me vested as Commander.
in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States, in time Of actual armed
rebellion against the authority and Gov.
ernment of the United States, and as a
fit and necessary war measure for sup
pressing said Rebellion, do, on this first
day of January, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty
three, and in accordance with my purpose
so to do, publicly proclaimed for the full
period of one hundred days from the day
first above mentioned, order and desig-
nate as States and parts of States wherein
the people thereof respectively, are this
day in rebellion against the United States,
to wit j.: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,
| Except Parishes of St. Bernard, PLACE
mines, Jefferson, St. John, St Charles,
St. james, Ascension, Assumption, Terre
Boune, Lafourche, St. Marie. St. Martin,
and Orleans, including the City of New
Orleans.), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina
and Virginia, Except ihe forty, eight
counties designated as West Virginia,
and also the counties of Berkeley, Acco.
Dac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York,
Princess Ann and Norfolk, including the
cities of Norfolk ank Portmouth,) and
which excepted parts are, for the present,
left precisely as if this Proclamation were
not issued.
And by virtue of the power and for the
purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare
that all persons held as slaves within said
designated States and PARTS of States, are,
and hencetorward shall be, free aud that
the Executive Government Of the United
States. including the Military and Naval
Authorities thereof, will recognize and
maintain the freedom of said persons.
And I hereby enjoin upon the people
so declared to be free, to abstain from all
violence, unless in necessary self defense;
and | recommend to them that in all ca
ses, when allowed, they labor faithfully
tor reasonable wages.
And [ further declare and make known
that such persons, of suitable condition,
will be received into the armed service of
the United States, to garrison forts, po-
sitions, stations and other places, and to
man vessels of all sorts in said service.
Aud, upon this act. sincerely believed
to be an act of justice, warrented by the
Constitution, upon military necessity, l
invoke the considerate judgment of man.
kind and the gracious favor of Almighty
God.
In testimony where of have hereuuto
set MY hand and caused the seal of tho
United States to be fixed
Done at the City of Washington, this 6rst
day of January, in the Year of Our
Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred
and Sixty-three, and of the Indepen.
dence of the United States of America
the Eighty seventh.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
BY the President-WM H SEWARD,
Secretary of State.
Under the excitement, false accusa-