Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-06-01
A Proclamation.

Uenf ~ Me CHhe0 States of 4Anle1Icu
Whereas, the President of the United
States, on the Sth day Of December, 1863,
and oD the 26th day of March, 1864, did,
with the object to suppress the existing re-
bellion, to induce all persons TO return to
their loyalty, and 10 restore the authority of
the United States, issue proclamation Of.
fering amnesty and pardon to certain per.
sons who have directly or by implication
participated 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 benefits afforded thereby; and
whereas, many persons who bave been just
ly deprived OF all claim to amnesty and par
don Hereunder by reason of their participa-
ton, directly or by implication, in said re.
bellion, and continued hostility to the gov.
ernmcnt Of the United States since the date
Of said proclamation, now desire to apply
for and obtain amnesty and pardon. To
the end thereunto, and that the authority
Of the Government of the United States
may be restored, and that peace, order and
freedom may be established, |, Andrew
johnson, President Of the United States,
do proclaim that hereby grant to all per-
sons who have directly or indirectly partici-
pated in the existing rebellion, except as
hereinafter excepted, amnesty and pardon,
with restoration of all the rights of prop
erty, except as TO slaves; and except in case
where legal proceedings under laws of the
United States providing for the confisca-
ton of property OF persons engaged in the
rebellion have been instituted; but on con.
dition nevertheless that every such person
shall take and subscribe to the following
oath or affirmation, and thenceforward keep
/ nd n.,tk ii
oath shall be registered for permanent pres
ervation, and shall he of the tenor aud eff
feet of the following to wit:
II do solemnly swear or affirm in the
presence of Almighty God that | will hence
forth faithfully defend the Constitution of
the United States and the Union there
under, that l will in like manner abide by
and faithfully aid and support all laws and
proclamations which have been made during
rebellion with reference to the emancipation
Of slaves, so help me God"
| The following classes of persons are ex-
cepted from the benefits of this procama-
| tion:
First All who are or shall have been
pretended civil or diplomatic officers: or
otherwise. domestic or foreign agents of the
pretended Confederate Government.
Second --Allwho left Judicial seats un-
der the United States to aid the rebellion.
Third. All who shall have been army or
naval officers Of the said pretended con-
federate government, above the rank of
colonel in the army, or lieutenant in the
navy.
Fourth. All who left seats in the Con-
gress Of the United States to aid The rebel
| lion. ~
FNh.--All who resigned their commits.
sons in the army or navy of the United
States to evade duty in resisting the rebel
! lion.
.Sirth.-All who have engaged in any
way in treating otherwise than lawful, as
prisoners OF war, persons found in the
United States service as officers, seamen OF
in any other capacity.
SecenM All persons who have been, or
are, absent from the United States for the
purpose Of aiding the rebellion.
Eighth. All military and naval officers
in the rebel service, who were educated by
the government in the military academy at
West Point or.the United States naval &C
ademy.
Ninth All persons who held the pre-
tended office of Governors Of States in in.
surrcction against the United States.
Tenth. All persons who left their homes
within the jurisdiction and protection Of the
United States, aud passed beyond the Fed
eral military lines into the so.called Con.
federate States, for the purpose OF aiding
The rebellion.
EIermh All persons who have been
engaged in the destruction of commerce OF
the United States upon the high seas, and
all persons who have made raids into the
United States from Canada, or those en-
gagged in destroying the commerce Of the
United States upon the iskes and rivers
that separate the British Pr. vinces from
the United States. ia.,
7UeHh-All persons who at the tiine
when they seek to obtain the benefits here
Of by taking the oath hereby prescribed,
are in Mill ary, naval 3r civiconfnement or
custody, or under arrest of the civil, mill.
tary or naval authorities or agents of the
United States, as prisoners of war, or per-
sons detained for offences of any kind,
either before or after conviction.
Thirteenth. AL persons who shall have
voluntarily participated in said rebellion,
and the eStenuated value Of whose taxable
property is ovcr $4,000.
fourteenth. "A y persons who have taken
the oath Of amnesty az prescribed in the
Presidents proclamation OF Dec. 18th, A.
D. 1858, or an oath of allegiance to the
Government of the United States sil.ce the
date of said proclamation, and who have
not thenceiorward kept and maintained the
same inviolate, provided that special ap.
plication may be made to the President for
pardon by any person belonging to the exccp
tel classes, and such clemency will be as
literally extended as may be consistent with
the facts in the case and the peace and dig
nifty of the United States. The Secretary
of State will establish rules and regulations
for the, administration and recording said
amnesty oath in order to give its benefit to
the, people and guard the Government
against fraud.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand, and caused the seal OF the
United States to be affixed. Done at the
City of Washington this Goth day of May,
1865. and Of the Independence Of the Uni
ted States the 89th.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Ry tha president