The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-14
p-ss+ Johnson s Amnesty Proclamation.


President Of The United States on the 8th day
December. 1858, ard on the 26th day Of March,
1854 did, with the object to suppress the exist
iag rebellion, to induce all persons to return to
tbeir LOYALTY and to restore the authority of the
United States, issue proclamations offering am
nesty and pardon to certain persons who had
directly or By implication, participated in said
rebellion; and
WHEREAS, Many persons who had SO engaged
in said rebellion, have, since the issuance Of
,gid proclamation, failed or neglected to take the
benefits offered thereby; and
WHEREAS. MANY persons gho have been Justly
denrived Of Ill claim to amnesty and pardon
ther under, by rea on Of their participation,
a:rec .ly or by implication in said rebellion, and
coQ;iaged their hostility 10 the government Of
the Aited States since the date of said proclama-
ton: now desire to apply for and obtain amnesty
and pardon; to the end, Therefore, that the au-
thotitY Of the government of the United States
ygfiy be restored. psad, that peace, order, and
freedom may be established. T. ANDREW JOHN
soy. President If the United States, DO PRO
CLAIM AND DECLARE, that DO hereby grant to
al persons who have directly or indirectly par
ticipated in tie existing rebellion, except as
hereinafter excepted, AMNESTY AND PARDON, with
the restoration of all rights of property except
as to slaves, aad except in cases where legal
proceedings under the laws Of the United States,
providing for the coufsca.on Of property OF
persons engaged in the rebellion have been in
stituted but on the condition, nevertheless that
every such person shall take and subscribe the
following oath or affirmation, and thenceforward
kecpand maintain said oRth invioable, and
which oath shall be registered for permanent
preservation, and shall b@ of the tenor and
ea8ec: following, 10 wit:
j do solemnlg swear (of affiTnl in presence
Of Almighty God, that | viii hencelorth faith
fully defend the Constitution of the United
States and the Union of thu States hereunder,
and that will in like manner abide by and faith
fully support all laws and Hroclam4tions which
have been made during thu existing rebellion,
with reference to the emancipation OF slaves, SO
help me God"
The following classes Of persons are excepted
from the benefits of this proclamation:
Flrss-ALl who are or shall have been pre-
tended civil or diplomatic officers or otherwise
domestic or foreign agents of the pretended
Confederate government.
Second-All who left judicial stations under
the United States 10 aid thB rebellion
Third-AlI who shall have been military or
general officers Of said pretended Confederate
government, above the rank of colonel in the
army, or lieutenant III the Iavv.
Fourth-All who left seats in the congress Of
the United States to aid the rebellion
Fifth-All who resigned or rendered resigna-
tons Of their cOmmissionsin the arJhy or navy
Of the United States TO eyide duty In resisting
the rebellion.
Sixth-An who have engaged, in any wav in
treating otherwise than ID rtully. as prisoners Of
war, pers rs found in the United States service
as officers soldiers seanent or 10 other capacities.
SeFentH-All persons wto have been absentees
from the United States for the purpose Of aiding
the rebellion.
Eighth--All military and naval officers in the
rebel service, who we're educated by the govern
mcnt at West Point or the United States naval
academy.
Ninth-An persons Whip held the pretended
Office Of governors Of States in Instruction
against the United States.
Tenth-All persons who left homes within the
jurisdiction and protection Of the United States
aud passed beyond the FEDERAL military lines
into the so-caled Confederate States, for the
purpose Of aiding the rebellion.
Eleyenth-4ll persons who have been en-
gagged in the destruction OF the commerce of
the United States upon the high seas and all
persons who have made raids into the United
States from Canada, or have been engaged in
destroying the commerce Of the United STATES
upon the lakes and rivers that separate the
British provinces from thu United States
Twefth-All persons who, at the time when
they seek to obtain the benefits hereof, br taking
the oath herein prescribed, are in military naval
or civil confinement, or custody, or Under bonds
OF the civil, military or naval authorities OF
agents of the United States, as prisoners of war,
or prisoners detained for offences Of any kind,
either before or after conviction
Thirteenth-Al persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion, and the estimated
ralue Of whose taxable properly is over 500, 900.
Fourteenth-All persons who have taken the
cath Of amnesty, as prescribed IN the Presidents
proclamation Of December 9Th, A. D. 1858, of
an oath of allegiance to the government Of the
United States, since the date of said proclamation
and who have theuceforward kept and main
tanned the same involate,
Provided, That special application may be
made to the President fol- pardon by any person
belonging to the excepted classes, and such
clemency will be literally extended as may be
consistent with the facts Of the case, and the
peace and dignity of the United States.
The secretary of State will establish rules or
regulations for administt ring and recording the
said amnesty OATH so as to insure its benefit to
che people, and guard the government against
fraud.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto set my
hand, and caused the seal Of the United State:
10 be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington this 29th day
of May, in the year Of our Lord 1855 and o.
the independence of The United States the
eighty-ninth.
i. s. ANDREW JOHNSON.