Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-07-15
THE RESTORATION OF THE RE
BELLI0US STATES.
Proclamation by the
President.
WASHINGTON, July Q.

WASHINGTON, July 9.
Whereas, at the late session Of Congress-
the bill was passed to guarantee certain
states, whose governments have been nsurp-
ed or overthrow, to Republican form Of gov
eminent, and
Whereas, said bill was presented to the
President for approval less than an hour be-
fore sine die adjournment Of said session, and
was not signed by him and
Whereas, said bill contains, among other
things, plan for restoring the states in reb-
elton to proper and practical relation in the
Union, which plan expressed the sense Of
Congress upon the subject, and which plan
it is now thought fit to lay before the people
for consideration
Now therefore, l. Abraham Lincoln, PIES
ident Of the United States. do proclaim that
while am, as was in December last, when
by proclamation propounded plan for re-
storstion, unprepared by formal approval Of
this bill to be inhexibly committed to any
single plan Of restoration, and while / am
also unprepared to declare that free state
constitutions and governments already adopt
ed and installed in Arkansas and Louisiana
shall be set aside and held for nought, thereby
repllingand discouraging the loyal citizens
VIM nave ttk up tue thults rs 10 InTlntT Ell
fort, or to declare a constitutional competen-
cy in Congress to abolish slavery in the states,
but am at the same time sincerely hoping and
expecting that constitutional amendment,
abolishing slavery throughout the nation,
may be adopted
Nevertheless am fully satifed with the
system for restoration contained in the bill
one very proper plan for the loyal people
Of any state choosing to adopt it, and that
am and at all times shall be prepared to give
the executive aid and assistance to any such
people so coon as military resistance to the
United States shall have been suppressed in
any such state, and the people thereof shall
have sufficiently returned to their obedience
to the constitution and laws Of the United
States, in which cas- military Governors will
be appointed, with directions to proceed to
the bill.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of Unied States
to be affixed
(Signed,) ARABIAN LINCOLN.
BY the President:
WILLIAM II. SEWARD, lScc'y of State.
Washington, July 8, 1764.
Secretary Welles has sent to Capt. Wins
low, Of the Kearsarge the following recogni-
tion Of his services in the destruction of the
pirate Alabama:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, 9th July, 1864.
SIR: Your very brief dispatch of the 9th
and goth utimo, informing the Department
that the piratioal craft Alabama, or 300, had
been sunk on the 9th of June near meridi-
an, by the Kesrsarge, under your command,
were this day received. ! congratulate you
-, 81. Il
which has so long avoided the fastest ships,
and some Of the most vigilant and intelligent
officers Of the service, and for the ability dis
played in this combat you have the thanks of
the Department.
You will please express to the officers and
crew of the Keararge the satisfaction of the
government at the victory over a vessel supe- :
rior in tonnage, in number of guns, and in :
the number of her crew. The battle was SO
brief, the victory decisive, and the compar-
alive results SO striking, that the country
will be reminded of the brilliant actions Of
our infant navy, which have been repeated |
and illustrated in this engagement.
The Alabama represented the best mari |
time efforts of the most skilled English work !
shops. Her. battery was composed of we'll |
tried 80 Founders, of the famous 6S-pound- |
ers of the British navy. and of the only sue |
cessfu rifed l00-pounder yet produced in |
England. The crew weregenerally recruited !
in Great Britain, and many of them had re-
ceived superior training on board Her Maj
esty's gunnery ship, " The Excellent"
The Kearsarge was one Of the first gun
boats built at our Navy Yards AT the com
mencement of the rebellion and lacks the i'm
provements of the vessels now under con-
struction. The principal guns composing her
battery had never been tried in an exclusively
naval engagement, yet in one hour you sue
ceeded in sinking your antagonist, thus fifty
ending her predatory career, and killing many
OF her crew without injury to the Kearsarge,
or the loss of a single life on your vessel
Our countrymen have reason to be satisfied
that in this, as in every naval action of this
unhappy war, neither our ships, guns nor
crews have been deterorated but that they
maintain the ability and continue the renown
which has ever adorned our naval annals.
The President has signifed his intention to
recommend that you receive vote of thanks,
in order that you may be advanced to the
grade of Commodore. Lieut.. Commender
james s. Thornton, executive officer Of the
Kearsarge, will be recommended to the SEN
ate for advancement ten numbers in his grade;
and you will report to the Department the
names Of any others of the officers or crew
whose good conduct on the occasion entities
them TO especial mention.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) GIDEON WELLS,
Secretary of the Nary.
Capt. JOHN A. WINSTON, U. s. Navy, Com
manding U. S. steamer Kearsarge, Cher
bourg, France.