Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1865-11-14
amnesty Proclamation,
Blythe PRESIDENT OF THE, uN1TEDesTArEs
OF AMERICA.

Whereae5-The President ofthe United States on !
the 9Th day OF December, 1863 did with the object
oil suPpresSing the existing rebelhons to induce all
persons to lay down their arms, O return,to their
loyalty, and to restore the authority Of the United
states, issue proclamations Offering. amnesty and
pardon to certain persons rho hatL.directlys by
Implication, engaged in said rebellion ;andd
=. Whereas. Many persons who had ,so engaged in /.
proclamation failed or neglected .e4ake :he benefits
Whereas, Many persons who hAve~been Justly.
deprived of all claim to amnesty and pardon there
under by reason of their participation directly
by implication in sail rebellion, aud continued in
hostility to the government of the United. States
since the date OF said procla matiOn, desire TO
apply for and obtain amnesty and pardon:
10 the end therefore, that the authority of the
Government OF the United States Inayb be restored,
and that peace, order and freedom. be estab-
States do proclaim and declare, that Ihareby grant
10 all persons who have directly Indirectly par
ticipated in the existing rebellion, except here
after excepted, amnesty and pardon with restora-
tiOn of all rights of property except as to slaves
except in cases where legal proceedings under the
laws Of the United States, providing tOF the confs
cation of property of persons engaged in rebellion,
have been instituted but the condition,
theless, that every such person shall take and sub.
scribe to the following oath, which shall be regis
tered, tor permanent preservation, and shall DO of
the tenor aud effect following to wit.
do solemnlv swear affirm in presence of AL
mighty God, that will hencefortll- support, pro-
tect and faithfully defend the constitution OF the
United States and will in like manner, abide by
and faithfully support all laws and pFOclamations
which have been made during the existing rebel
So help me God.
The following classes of persene are excepted
from the benefits of this proclamation
|. All who have been pretended or dipIo-
matte officers otherwise domestic foreign
agents OF the pretended Confederate States.
=. All who lett Judicial stations under the United
States to aid the rebellion.
3. All who have been military or naval officers of
the pretended Confederate Government above the
rank of Coloneln the army, and Lieutenant in the
navy.
States rebellion
5. All who resigned rendered the resignation
of their commissions in the Army and Navy of the
United States to evade their duty in resisting the
rebellion.
9. All who have engaged In any way in treating
otherwise than lawfully prisoners of persons
found in the United States service officers, SOL
diers, seamcn, in other capacities.
Z All persons who have been absentees
from the United States for the purpose of aiding the
rebellion.
s. All military or naval officers in the rcbes SER
vice who were educated by the Government in the
Military Academy at West Point at the United
8. All persons who held the pretended offices of
Governors of tue States in instruction against the
United States.
10. All persons who left their homes within the
and protection of the United States, and
passed beyond the Federal military lines into the
so-Calcd Confederate States for the purpose aid
ing the rebellion.
II. All persons who have engaged in the dcstruc-
ton Of the CONNIE rec of the United States upon the
high seas and all persons who have made raids into
the United States from Canada or been engaged in
destroying the commerce of the United States
inccs from the United States
IL. All persons who, at a time when they geek to
obtain the benefits hcrcOfhy taking the oath herein
prescribed are in military, naval civil continc
ment or custody, under, bond of the military
naval authorities or agents of the United States
prisoners of any kind, either before after their
conviction.
ID. All persons who have voluntarily participated
in said rebellions the estimated value oi wLose tax
able property is over $4,000.
II. All persons who have taken the oath OF amnes.
ty, prescribed the Presidents Proclamation oe
December Sth 1868, the oath of allegiance the
United States since the date of said proclamation,
and who have not thenccforward kept the same in.
violate provided, that special application may be
made to the President for pardon by any person
belonging to the excepted classes, and such Glenn
cncy Will be extended as may he consistent with
the facts Cf the and the peace and dignity of
the United States. The Secretary of State will
tablish rules and regulations for administering and
recording the said amnesty oath, to insure its
benefits to the people and guard the government
In testimony whereof, have hcrcunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States to be
affixed.
Done at the Citv of Washington, this the goth day
OF May, A. D., 1865, and Of the independence Of
America the seth. ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President,
WIN. II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
SECRETARY sEwARD's REGULATIONS IN REFERENCE
TO TIE AMNESTY OATH.
DEPARTM OF STATE.2
Washington, May 80. :
SlR.-A copy of the Presidents Amnesty Procla-
nation of this date is herewith appended.
a clause in the instrument directs the Secretary
of State to establish rules and regulations for ad-
ministcring and recording the amnesty oath
to insure its benefits to the people and guard the
Government against fraud. Pursuant to this in.
junction, you are informed that the oath prescribed
in the Proclamation may be taken and subscribed
&c before any commissioned officer, civil, military
naval, of the United States. any civil or mill
tary officer Of loyal State Territory who, by the
laws thereof, may be qualified for administering
the oath.
All officers who receive such oatIls are authorized
to give certified copies thereof persons respective
~ by whom they were made, and such officers arc
hereby required TO transmit originals of such Oaths
at as carly day convenient. to this Department,
where they will be deposited and remain in the ar
Chivcs of the Government.
register thereof will be kept in the Department,
and ON application in proper cascz certificates will
be issued of such certificates in the form of Official
ccrtific ties.
l am, your Obcdicnt servant,
WM. II. SEWARD,