The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-30
President Johnson's Am
nesty Proclamation.
THE MASS OF THE PEOPLE ARE
FORGIVEN.
THE PROMINENT, ACTIVE, NFLUEN-
TIAL TRAITORS ARE NOT.
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHEREAS, The president of the United
States on the 9Th day of December, 1868, and
ON the Goth day of March, 1864, did, with
the object to suppress the existing rebellion,
to induce all persons to return to their loyal.
ty and to restore the authority of the United
States, issu. a proclamation Offering amnesty
and pardon to certain persons who had direct
ly or by implication participated in said rebel
lion and whereas many persons W no had so
engaged in said rebellion have, since the is
suance of said proclamation, failed or neglect
ed to take the benefits thereby offered aud
whereas, many persons who have 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 govern
ment of the United States since the date of
said proclamation, now desire to apply for
and obtain amnesty and pardon. to the end
therefor, that the authority of the United
States may be restored and that peace, order
and freedom may be established.
l, Andrew Johnson, President of the Uni.
ted States, do proclaim and declare that
hereby grant TO all persons who have directly
or indirectly participated in existing rebell-
ion. except as hereafter excepted, amnesty
and pardon, with reservation of all rights of
property, except as to slaves and except In
cases where legal proceedings, under the laws
of the United States providing for the confis-
cation OF property of persons engaged in re-
bellion, have been instituted, but on the con-
dition, nevertheless, that every such person
shall take and subscribe the following oath
or affirmation, and thencetorward keep and
maintai said oath inviolate, which oath shall
be registered for permanent preservation. and
shall be of the tenor and effect following, to
wit.
] do soemnly swear, affirm, in presence of
Almighty God that will henceforth faithfully de-
end the Constitution OF the United States the
Union of the States Hereunder, and that | will in
like manner abide by and faithfully support all
laws and proclamauons which have been made
during the existing rebellion with reference to
emancipation of slaves. So help me God.
The following classes of persons are ex-
cepted from the benefit of this proclamation
LIST. All who are or who shall have been
pretended civil or diplomatic officers, or 9TH
erwise domestic or foreign agents of the pre-
tended Confederate government.
ID. All who left judicial stations under
the United States to 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 a lieutenant In the navy.
4th. All who left seats in the Congress of
the United States TO aid the rebellion.
Otus All WIN lcoIShou VI tChuCIcO
atoms of their commissions in the army or
navy of the United States to evade the duty
OF resisting the rebellion.
! 9th. All who have engaged in any way in
treating otherwise than law fully prisoners of
war or persons found In the Z. S. service as
| officers. soldiers, seamen, or in any other
pacities.
It'll. All persons who have been absentees
from the U. s., for the purpose of aiding the
rebellion.
Sth All military and naval officers in the
rebel service who were educated by the gov
eminent in the military academy at West
Point, or U 5. naval academy.
9th. All persons who held the pretended
Offices of governors of states IN iusurrec-
ton against the United States.
10th. All persons who left their homes
within the jurisdiction and protection of the
| q. S., and passed beyond the federal military
| lines into the so called Confederate States for
the purpose of aiding the rebellion.
llth. All persons who have been engaged
| in the destruction OF the commerce of the
United States upon the high seas, aud all
persons making raids into the United States
from Canada, or been engaged in destroying
the commerce of the United States upon the
lakes and rivers that separate the British
Provinces from the United States.
18th. All persons who, at the time when
| they seek to obtain the benefits hereof by tax
ing the oath herein prescribed, are in the
military, naval or civil confinement or GUS
toby, or under bonds of the civil military or
naval authorities or agents of the United
States as prisoners of war, or perssns de-
tanned for offsnses of any kind, either before
or after conviction.
18th. All persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion and the estima-
ted value of whose taxable property is over
$4,000.
l4th. All persons who have taken the
| oath of amnesty, as prescribed in the presi-
dents proclamation of Dec. 9Th, A. ID. 1868,
or oath of allegiance to the government of
the United States since the date of said pro-
clamation, and who have thenceforward kept
and maintained the same inviOate, provided
that special application may be made to the
president for pardon by any person belong
ing to the excepted classes, and such clemen
cy will be literally extended as may be con-
slstent with the facts and the peace and dig
nifty of the United States.
The secretary of state will establish rules
and regulations for administering and record
ing said oath, so to insure It's benefits to
the people and guard the government against
fraud.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my
hand and have caused the seal of the United
States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington the 29th day of
May, IN the year or our Lord 1865, and of the In
dependence of the United States the seth.
L. S. ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President,
VIM. Ii. Seward. Sec'y of State.
The Governors Proclamation.
We publish in another column the procla-