Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-02
FRON TLLE HOHrH

NEW lohh, DtC. To-
The following are extra is from jeff Davis
proclamation. Alter detailing the facts about
the execution of Munnford at New Orleans,
JEFF. Davis says
Now therefore |, Jefferson Davis, Presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America,
do pronounce and declare the said Benj +.
Butler to be felon deserving of capital pun
ishment. / do order that he shall no longer
be considered or treated simply as public
enemy OF the Confederate States of America,
but as an outlaw and common enemy Of man
kind, and that in the event of his capture the
officer in command of the capturing force do
cause him to be Immediately executed by
hanging. And | do further order that no
commissioned officer of the Uni'ed States,
taken captive, shall be released on parole be-
fore exchange until said Butler shall have met
with due punishment for his crimes.
And whereas the hostilities waged against
this Confederacy by the forces of the United
States, under the command of said Benjamin
+. Butler, have borne no resemblance to such
warfare as is alone permissible by the rules
of International law, or the usage of civiliza-
tion, but have been characterized by repeated
atrocities and outrages.
Here follows "a list Of the alleged atrocities
committed by Butler and his command, in
cluding his confscation order.
The proclamation concludes as follows:
And whereas the President of the United
States has by public and official declarations
signifed not only his approval of the effort to
excite seryile war within the Confederate
States, but his intention to give aid and en-
couragement thereto if these independent
states shall continue to refuse submission to
foreign power after the first day of January
next, and has thus made known that all ap-
peal to the law of nations, of the dictates Of
reason and the instincts of humanity would
be addressed in vain to our enemies, and that
they can be deferred from the commission of
these crimes only by the terrors of just retri-
button;
Now, therefore, /, Jefferson Davis, Pres
ident of the Confederate States of America,
and acting by their authority, appealing to the
Divine Judge in attesting that their conduct
is not guided by the passion of revenge, but
that they reluctantly yield to the solemn duty
OF redressing by necessary severity, crimes Of
which their citizens are the victims, do issue
this, my proclamation, and by virtue Of my
authority, as Commander-in-C Chief of the ar.
mics of the Confederate States, do order;
I First, That all commissioned officers in
the command of Benz. f. Butler be declared
not entitled TO be considered as soldiers en-
gagged in honorable warfare, but as robbers
and criminals, deserving death, and that they
aud each OF them be, whenever captured, re-
served for execution.
Second, That the private soldiers and
non-commissioned officers in the army OF said
Butler be considered as only the instruments
used Tor the commission OF crimes perpetrat-
ed by his orders and not as free agents, that
they, therefore, be treated when captured as
prisoners of war, with kindness and human
ity, and be sent home on the usual parole,
that they will in no manner aid or serve the
United States in any capacity during the con-
tinuance Of this war unless duly exchanged.
Third. That all negro slaves captured in
arms be at once delivered over to the Exccu-
tive authorities of the respective States to
which they belong. to be dealt with accord
ing TO the laws OF said State.
Fourth. That the like orders be executed
in all cases with respect to all commissioned
officers OF the United States when found serv-
ing in company with said slaves in insurrec-
ton against the authorities Of the different
States of this Coniederacy
1 In testimony whereof, have signed these
presents and caused the seal Of the Coniede-
rate States of America to be affixed thereto,
at the city Of Richmond, on this 23d day Of
I December, in the year of our Lord one thou
Sand eight hundred and sixty-two.
JEFFERSON DAylSs