Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-01
AMNESTY.
President JOhnsOn's
PROCLAMATION.
TIE TERMS OF PARDON-THh EA-
CEPTED CLASSES.
By Ihe PRECEDENT Of the United
states Of America.


APR CLAMATION.
Whereas. The President Of the United
States on the eighth day OF December, A.
d.. eighteen hundred and sixty-three, and
on the twenty sixth day Of March, a. D.,
eighteen hundred and sixty-four, did, with
the object 20 suppress the existing rebellion,
10 induce all persons o return to their 10y
atty, and 20 restore the authority OF the
United States, issued proclamatiOns Offering
amnesty and pardon to certain persons who
had directly or by implication participated
in the said rebellion;
Ind trheredS, Many persons who had so
engaged in said rebellion, have, since the Is
suance of said proclamationS, failed or ne
elected 10 take The benefits offered thereby
Ind JchsrsaS, Many persons who have been
Justly deprived Of all claim 10 amnesty and
pardon hereunder, by reason OF their par
licipatiOn directly or By implication in said
rebellion and continued hostility 70 the Gov
erument Of the United States since the date
OF said proclamations, now desire 20 apply for
and obtain amnesty and pardon.
To the end therefore that the authority Of
the Government Of the United States may
be restored, and that peace, order and free
dom may be established, l, ANDREW JOHN
son, President of the United States, do pro-
claim and declare that hereby grant to oil
persons who have directly or indirectly par
,icipated in the existing rebellion, except as
hereinafter excepted, amnesty and pardon,
with restoration of all rights of property,
except as 70 slaves; and except in cases
where legal proceedings under the laws oil
the United States providing Tor the conhsca-
ton OF property OF persons engaged IN re-
bellion have been instituted. But upon the
condition, nevertheless, tia; every such per
son shall take and subscribe the following
oath or affirmation, and thenceiOrward keep
and maintain said oath inviolate, and which
oath shall be registered for permanent pre-
seryation, and shall be OF the tenor and ef-
tecs following, to wit
/, -, do sOlemnly swear, or affirm, in
the presence Of Almighty God, that will
nenceforth faithfully support, protect and
defend the Constitution OF the United States,
and the Union of the States hereunder, and
that l will, in like manner, abide by and
faithfully support all laws and proclamatiOns
which have been made during the existing
rebellion with reference 10 the emancipation
OF slaves, so help me God,
The following classes of persons are ex-
cepted from the benefits OF this proclama-
lion
lst. All who are or shall have been pro-
tended civil or diplomatic officers, otherwise
domestic or. foreign agents Of the pretended
Confederate Government.
I'd. All who left judicial stations under the
United States 10 aid the rebellion.
Sd. All who shall have been military or
naval officers Of said pretended Confederate
Government above the rank Of Colonel in
the army or Lieutenant in the navy.
4th. AL who left seats in the Congress Of
an#1 aid . 10
5th. All who resigned or rendered resigns-
,ions of their commissions IN the army or
navy of the United States to evade duty in
resisting the rebellion.
9th. Ali who have engaged in any way in
treating otherwise than lawfully, as prison
ers Of war, persons found in the United States
service as officers, soldiers, seamen, or in
other capacities.
18th. All persons who have been or are ab-
seutees from the United States for the pur-
pose Of aiding the rebellion.
Sth. All military and naval officers ia the
Rebel service who were educated by the
Government in the Military Academy at
West Point, or the United States Naval
Academy.
9Th. All persons who held the pretended
Offices Of Governors Of States in insurrec-
ton against the Unitel States.
10th. All persons who lett their homes
within the jurisdiction aud protection Of the
United States, and passed beyond the Fed
eral military lines into the sO-called COnfed-
crate States for the purpose Of aiding the re-
belion.
llth. All persons who have been engaged
in the destruction OF the commerce Of the
United States upon the high seas, and all
persons who have made raids into the Uni
ted States IRON Canada, or been engaged in
destroying the commerce of the United
states upon the lakes and rivers that sepa.
rate the British Provinces from the United
States.
18th. All persons who at the time when
they seek to obtain the benefits herein BY
taking the oath herein prescribed are in
military, naval, or civil confinement or Gus
tody, or under bonds Of the civil, military or
naval authorities, or agents of the United
States, as prisoners Of war, or persons
declared for offences, Of any kind, either be-
fore or after conviction
18th. All persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion, and the eSti-
mated value OF whose taxable property is
over twenty Thousand dollars.
18th. All persons who have taken the Oath
of Amnesty, as prescribed in the Presidents
4
OF an oath Of allegiance 10 the Government
{ I the United States since the date of said
proclamation, and who have not thencefor-
ward kept and maintained the same inyiolste.
Provided, that special application may be
made 70 the President for pardon by any per-
son belonging TO the excepted classes, and
such clemency will be literally extended as
may be consistent with the facts of the cases
and the peace and dignity Of the United
States.
The Secretary of State will establish rules
and regulations for administering aud record
ing tne said Amnesty Oath, so as to insure
It's benefit to the people and guard the Gov
eminent against fraud.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal OF the United
States 10 be affixed:
- Done at the city Of Washington the
us. twenty ninth day OF May, in the
49, year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-flye, aud Of the in
dependence of the United States the eighty
ninth. ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
WV. Il. SEwARD, Secretary of State.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.