The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-19
Proclamation bo the President.

WASHINGTON. Feb. Is.
BY the President of the United States, a
proclamation
Whereas, by my proclamation of the 10th
OF Aprll, 1861, the ports OF the States of South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Missis-
sippi, Louisiana and Texas were, for reasons
therein set forth, placed under blockade, and
whereas the port of Brownsville, in the dis
trict OF Brazos Santiago, in the State of Tex
as, has since been blockaded, but as the block
AIDE OF said port may now safely be released
with advantage to the interests of commerce,
now, therefore, be it known, that l, Abraham
Lincoln, President of the United States. pur-
suant to the authority in me vested by the 9th
act OF the section OF Congress, approved on
the 18th day of July, 1851, entitled an act
further to provide for the collection of duties
on imports and for other purposes, do hereby
declare that the blockade of the said port of
Brownsville shall so far cease and determine
from and after this date that commercial in
tercourse with said port, except as to persons,
things and information hereinafter specified,
may from and after this date be carried on,
subject to the laws Of the United States, and
in the regulations Of the Secretary of the
Treasury, and until the rebellion shall have
been suppressed, to such orders as may be
promulgated by the General commanding the
department, or by an officer duly authorized
by him, and commanding at said port.
ms proclamation does not authorize or al
low the shipment or conveyance of persons
intended to enter the service of the insur-
gents, or OF things or information intended
for their use, or for their comfort, nor, ex-
cept upon the permission of the Secretary of
War, or some other officer duly authorized by
him, of the following prohibited articles,
namely Cannon, mortars, firearms, pistols,
bombs, grenades, powder, saltpetre, sulphur
balls, bullets, pixies, swords, boarding caps,
always excepting the quantity of the said ar
ticles which may be necessary for the defense
OF the ship and those who compose the crew,
saddles, brides, cartridges. bag material, per-
cusson and other caps, clothing adapted for
uniforms, sail cloth Of all kinds, hemp and
cordage, Intoxicating drinks other than beer
and light native wines.
To vessels clearing from foreign ports, and
destined to the port of Brownsville, opened
by this proclamation, licenses will be granted
by the Consuls of the United States on salts.
factory evidence that the vessel so licensed
VIII convey no persons, property or informa-
ton excepted or prohibited above, either to
or from the said port; which licenses shall be
exhibited to the collector of said port imme-
diateiy on arrival; and If required. to any Of
ficer in charge of the blockade And on clear
ing said port every vessel will be required to
have clearance from the Collector of the
Customs, according to law, showing no viola
tion Of the conditions of the license. ANY vi
olation of said conditions will involve the for
fixture and condemnation of the vessel and
cargo, aud the exclusion of all parties con-
cerned from any further privileges of enter
ing the Unised States during the war, for any
purposes whatever.
In all respects except herein specified, the
the existing blockade remains in full force and
effect as heretofore established and maintain
ed, nor is it relaxed by this proclamation, ex-
cept in regard to the port TO which relaxation
Is or has been expressly applied.
In witness whereof | have hcreunto set my
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed Done at the city of
Washington this 18th day of February, in
the year of our Lord 1868, and in the indie
pendence of tho United States the ssth
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
By the President,
W. II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.