The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-26
VIRGINIA..
Rc.esta blishment of Federal Author.
ity Therein.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, }
WASHINGTON, Nav 8, 1866. {

WASHINGTON, May ., 1861
OEDERED-First-Tha all acts and proceed
ings of the political, military and civil organi-
cations, which have been in state of insurrec-
ton and rebellion within the State of Virginia
against the authority and laws of the United
States, and of which jefferson Davis, John
Letcher, and William Smith, were late the re-
spective chiefs, are declared null and void All
persons who shall exercise, claim, pretend, or
attempt to exercise any political, military, or
civil power, authority, Jurisdiction or right, by,
through or under Jefferson Davis, late of the
city of Richmond, and his confederates. or under
John Letcher or William Smith and their con-
federates, or under any pretended political,
military, or civil commission or authority is.
sued by them or either of them since the 18th
day of April, 1861, shall be deemed and taken
as in rebellion against the United States, and
shall be dealt with accordingly.
Second-That the Secretary of State proceed
to put in force ali laws of the United States,
the administration whereof belongs TO the de-
partment OF State, applicable to the geograph-
ical limits aforesaid.
Third-That the Secretary of the Treasury
proceed. without delay, to nominate for ap.
pointment assessors of taxes and collectors of
customs and internal revenue and such other
officers of the Treasury Department as are
authorized by law, and shall put in execution
the revenue laws of the United States within
the geographical limits aforesaid. In making
appointments, the preference shall be given to
qualified loyal persons residing within the dis
tricts in which their respective duties are to
be performed But if suitable persons shall
uot be fonnd residents of the districts then
persons residing in other districts shall be APP
pointed.
Fourh-That the Postmaster General shall
proceed TO establish postofices and post routes,
and put into execution the postal laws of the
United States within the said States, giving to
lOval residents tho nra Of int,
but if suitable persons are not found, then ap.
point agents, &c, from other States.
FVM-That the District Judge of said dis
trict proceed to hold courts within said tate,
in accordance with the provisions of the acts
of Congress. The Attorney General will in.
struct the proper officers to libel, and bring to
Judgment, confiscation, and sale, property sub
ject to cOnfiscatiOn, and enforce the admins.
tration of justice within said State, in all mat
tiers civil and criminal within the cognizance
and jurisdiction of the Federal courts.
SirM-That the Secretary of War assign
such Assistant Provost Marshal General and
such Provost Marshals in each district of said
State as he may deem necessary.
Secenth-The secretary of the navyt will
take possession of all public property belong
ing to the navy department within said geo.
graphical limits. and put in operation all acts
of congress in retaliat On to naval affairs having
application to the said state.
LytW-1ue SECRETARY VI the interior Will
also put in force the laws relating to the de-
partment of the interior.
Ninth-That to carry into effect the guarantee
of the Federal Constitution of republican
form of government, and afford the advantage
and security of domestic laws, as well as to
complete the re-establishment of the authority
of the laws of the United States, and the full
and complete restoration within the limits
aforesaid. Francis H. Pierpont, Governor of the
State of Virginia. will be aided by the Federal
Government, so far as may be necessary. in the
lawful measures which he may take for the
extension and administration of the State gov.
eminent throughout the geographical limits of
said State.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set nv
hand and caused the seal of the United States
TO be affixed.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
BY the President:
W. HUNTER, Act. Sec'y of State.