The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-03
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF Tn,
UNITED STATES

| Whereas, the President of the United States a,
the 9Th day Of December, A. d. 1869, aud on "a, /
26th day of March, A. d. 1864, did, with the objec
to uppress the existing rebellion, to induce all per-
sons to return to their loyalty, and to restore III,
authority of the United States, issue procAmalOu,
Offering amnesty and pardon to certain persons VIII
had, directly by implication, participated in III,
said rebellion; and whereas many persons who bad
SO engaged in said ebellon, have since the issuan
| of said proclamation failed or neglected to tai,
the benefits offered thereby; and whereas many per,
sons who have been justly deprived Of all claim
amnesty and pardon hereunder by reason Of thei,
participation, directly or by implication in said 70,
bellion and continued hostility 10 the governmen,
of the United States since the date of said procama
ton, now desire to apply for and obtain amnesyaut
pardon;
To the end, therefore, that the authority Of ID,
| government of the United States may be restored
and that peace, order and freedom may be estab.
lished, /, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United
States, do proclaim and declare that hereby gran
to all persons who have directly or indirectly par
,icipated in the existing rebellion except ne herein
after excepted, amnesty and pardon, with feslOra.
ton of all rights of property, except as to slave
except in cases where legal proceedings, under IN,
laws of the United States providing for the conhi
cation of property of persons engaged in rebellion
have been instituted, but on the condition never.
theless, that every such person shall take and SUB
scribe the following oath affirmation, and thEu.
forward keep and maintain said oath inviolais, GG
which oath shallbe registered for permanent PIE.
servation, and Shall DO of the tenor and effect TO-
lowing, to-wit:-
], -, do solemny swear or affirm, in pre-.
sence of Almighty God, that will hencefOrth faith
fully support and defend the Constitution Of III,
United States and the Union OF the States therein
der, and that WILL in like manner, abide by aud
faithfully support al laws and proclamatiens which
have been made during the existing rebellion will
| reference 20 the emancipation of slaves. 30 help
me God.
The following classes of persons are excepted from
the benefits of this proclamation:
First-AH who are or ahall have been pretended
civil or diplomatic officers or otherwise domestic or
foreign agents of the pretended Confederate goHn-
ment.
Second-An who left judicial stations under ,h,
United States to aid the rebellion.
Third-All who shall have been military or naval
officers Of said pretended Confederate government
above the rank of Colonel in the army or LieGtensn
in the navy.
Fourth-An who left seats in the Congress of The
United States to aid the rebellion.
Fifth-AH who resigned or rendered designations
Of their commissions in the army navy of.he Us.
to eVade duty in resisting the rebellion.
Sixth-All who have engaged in any way in treat
ing otherwise than lawfully prisoners of war per-
sons found in the U. s. service as officers soldiers,
seamen or in other capacities. It &
Seventh-All persons who have been or ARE ab.
sentees from the U. s. 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 L. S.
Naval Academy.
Ninth-All persons who held the pretended Office,
of Governors of States in instruction against the
United States.
Tepth-All persons who left their homes within
the jurisdiction and protection Of the United Star
and passed beyond the federal military lines into
the so-caled Confederate States for the purpose Of
aiding the rebellion
.Eleventh-All pers6ns who have been engagedia
the destruction of the commerce of the United States
upon the high seas, and all persons who have mad,
raids into the United States from Canada, or been
engaged In destroying .he commerce of the United
STATES upon the lakes and rivers that separate tho
British provinces from the United States
Tweltth-All persons who, at the time when they
seek TO obtain the benefits hereof by taking the oath
herein prescribed, are in military, naval or civil
confinement or custody, or under bonds of the civil.
military or naval authorities OF agents of the United
States, as prisoners of or persons detained Tor
offences ofany kind either before CRATER conYicton
Thirteenth-An persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion, and the estimated
value of whose taxable property is over twen'
thousand dollars.
Fourteenth-All persons who have taken the DATA
OF amnesty as prescribed in the Presidents proelA
nation OF December eight, A. ID. one thousand eight
hundred and sixty three, or an oath OF allegiance
the government of the United States sibve the date
of said proclamation, andwho have not thenceiOF
ward kept and maintained the same inyiolate;
Provided that special application may be. made 70
the President for pardon by any person belonging ~
the excepted classes, and such clemency will be lib
orally extended as may be consistent with the fSev
OF the case and the peace and dignity OF the United
States.
The Secretary of State will establish rules and
regulations for administering and recording the sale
amnesty oath so as to insure its benefit 10 the peo
pie, and guard the government against fraud
In testimony whereof / have bereunto sci m!
hand and caused the seal of the United States BE-
affixed. Done at the city of Washington. The ?sh
day of May in the year of Our Lord 1865, and o.
the independence Of the United States the geth.