Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-06-08
PRESIDENTS AMNESTY PROCLAMATION
WASHINGTON, May 29th, 1866

a PhOClAAATloN.
By The President of the United States Of A"s-
erica.
WHEREAS, The President of the United
States, on the 8th day of December, 1868,
and on the 28th CT March, 1864, did, with
the object to suppress the existing rebel
lion, to induce all persons to return to their
loyalty, and to restore the authority Of the
United States, issue a proclamation offer
ing amnesty and pardon to certain persons
who had directly or by implication partici-
pated in the said rebellion and WHEREAS
many persons who had so engaged in said
rebellion have, since the issuance of said
proclamation, failed or neglected to take
the benefit offered thereby F.; and WHEREAS,
many persons who have been Justly de-
prived of all claim to amnesty and pardon
hereunder by reason of their participation
directly or by implication in said rebellion
and continued hostility to the Government
of the United States since the date of said
proclamation, now desire to apply for and
obtain amnesty and pardOn-tO the end,
therefore, that the authority Of the Govern
ment of the United States may be restored
and that peace, order and freedom may be
established, | ANDREW JOHNSON, President
of these United States, do proclaim and
declare, that | hereby grant to all persons
who have directly or indirectly participa-
ted in the existing rebellion, except as
hereinafter excepted, amnesty and pardon
with the restoration of all rights and prop
erty, except as to slavery, and except in
cases when legal proceedings under the
laws Of the United States, providing for the
confiscation ofproperty of persons engaged
=, Ill, L..
the condition. nevertheless, that every such
person shall take and subscribe to the fol-
lowing oath or affirmation, and thencefor-
ward to keep and maintain said oath nvi-
olate, and which oath shall be registered
for permanent preservation and shall be Of
tenor and effect the following, to wit:
81 do solemnly swear or affirm in the
presence Of God, that | WILL hcnceforth,
faithfully defend the Constitution of the
United States and the union of States there
under, and that ] will, in like manner,
abide by and faithfully support all the laws
and proclamations which have been made
during the existing rebellion with reference
to the emancipation of slaves. So help NE
God"
The following classes of persons are
excepted from the benefits of this prOcla-
nation
Frst-All who are, or shall have been,
pretended diplomatic officers or otherwise
domestic or foreign agents of the pretended
Confederate Government
Second-Ali who left judicial offices un-
der the United States to aid the rebellion.
1hUd-All who shall have been military
or naval officers of said pretended Confed-
crate government above the rank of colonel
i'll the army or navy,
Fourth-AlI who have left seats in the
Congress of the United States to aid the re-
bellion
FVM-All who resigned or rendered the
designations Of their commissions in the
army or Navy of the United States to es-
cape duty III resisting the rebellion
SiTth-All who have engaged in any
way i'll treating otherwise than lawfully as
prisoners Of war, persons found i'll the Uni
ted States service as officers, seamen, or in
any other capacity
SerenH-All persons who have been OF
are away from the United States for the
purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Ejghh-All military or naval officers in
the rebel service, who were educated by
the government in the military academy at
Academy.
Niath-All persons who held the preten-
ded offices Of Governors of States in insur-
rection against the United States
2enh-All persons who left their homes
during the jurisdiction and protection of the
United States, and went into the lines of
the so-called Confederate States, for the
purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Elecenh--All persons who have been ell
gagged i'll the destruction of the commerce
OF the United States on the high seaside
stroylng the commerce of the United States
upon the lakes or rivers that separate the
British provinces from the United States
1tceth-All persons who, at the time
when they seek to take the oath herein
prescribed, are i'll military, naval or civil
confinement or custody, or under bonds of
civil, military, on naval authorities or
agent OF the United States, as prisoners of
war, or persons detained for offences, either
before or after conviction
1hlrteenfh-All persons who have par
ticipated in said rebellion, and the estima-
ted value of whose property is over 500
600.
foM1eenH-All persons who have taken
the oath of amnesty as prescribed in the
Presidents proclamation of December 18th.
1868, or an oath of allegiance to the Gov
ernment of the United States since the date
Of such proclamation, and who have thus
far kept and maintained the same inviolate,
provided that special application may be
made to the President for pardon by anv
person, and such cIemency 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
due regulations for administering and re, |
cording the said amnesty oath, so as to in |
sure its benefits to the people, and guard
the government against fraud
In testimony whereof have set nv hand
and caused the seal of the United States to
be affixed
Done at the City of Washington. the
29th day of May, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixtv-fye,
and of the Independence of the United
States the eighty-ninth
ANDREW JOHNSON.
W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
The FIRST DECISION -CbancaIIo,,