Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-06-01
A Proclamation by the President.
WAsHINnroN. MAY %.

the object TO suppress, The existing re-
belhon, to induce all persons 10 return
to their loyalty and TO restore the au-
thonty of the United States, issue
proclamations Offering amnesty and par
don to certain persons who had directly
or by implication, participated In the
said rebellion.
Whereas, many persons have been
justly deprived Of all claim TO amnesty
and pardon hereunder by reason of
their participation directly, or by impli-
cation in said rebellion, and continued
hostilities to the Government OF the
United States. since the date of said
proclamation, and now desire to apply
for and obtain amnesty and pardon.
To thefnd, therefore, that the author
ity OF the Government of the United
States may be restored, and that peace,
order and freedom may be established
l. Andrew johnson, President of the
United States, do proclaim aud declare
that hereby grant to all persons who
have directly or indirectly participated
In the existing rebellion except us
hereinafter eXcepted-amnesty and par
don with the restoration of all rights of
property, except as to slaves, and cX-
cept in cases where legal proceedings
under the laws of the United States,
providing for the Contlscation of the
property of persons engaged in the re-
bellion, have been instituted, but on the
condition, nevertheless, that every such
person shall take and subscribe the fol-
lowing oath or affirmation, and thence
forward keep and maintain said oath
inviolate, and which oath shall be reg
istered for permanent preservation, and
shall be of the tenor and effect as fol-
lows, to wit
|, - do solemnly swear or af-
firm in presence Of Almighty God, that
| will hencetorth faithfully protect and
defend the Constitution of the United
States, and the Union of the States
Hereunder; and that will in like man
ner abide by and faithfully support all
laws and proclamations which have
been made during the existing rebellion
with reference to the emancipation of
slaves, so help me God.
The following classes of persons are
exempted from the benefits of this proc
lamation:
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-All who left judicial stations
under the United States to aid the re-
bellion.
Third-All who shall have been mill
tary or naval officers of the said pre-
tended Confederate government, above
the rank Of colonel in the army or lieu
tenant in the navy.
Fourth-All who left seats in the Con-
gress Of the United States to aid the
rebellion.
Fifth-All who resigned or rendered
resignation of their commissions in the
army or navy of the United States, to
evade duty in subduing the rebellion.
Sixth-All who have engaged in any
way in treating otherwise than lawfully
as prisoners of war persons found in the
United States service az officers. sol
diers, seamen, or other capacities.
Seventh-AlI persons who have been
or are absentees from the United States,
for the purpose Of aiding the rebellion.
Elghth-All military or naval officers
in the rebel service who were educated
by the government in the military .acad
envy at West Point or in the U. S. naval
academy.
Ninth-All persons who held the pre-
tended offices of Governors of States in
insurrection against the United States
government
Tenth-All persons who left their
homes within the jurisdiction and pro-
lection of the United States, and passed
hnun,n1 M Ea5apal rnilifaYx HnaS into
the so called Confederate States, for the
purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Eleventh All persons who have been
eng0 d in the destruction Of the COM
merce Of the United States upon the
high seas, and all persons who have
made raids into the United States from
Canada, or been engaged in destroying
the commerce of the United States on
the lakes and rivers that separate the
British Provinces from the United
States.
Twelfth-All persons who at the time,
when theyi seek to obtain the benefits
hereof by taking the oath herein pre-
scribed are in military, naval or civil
confinement or custody, or under bonds
| of the civil military or naval authOri-
| blGe anu dSGnbS vi bllC " uiICb OO@VSo IAo
| prisoners of war, or prisoners detained
for offences of any kind either, before
or after conviction.
Thirteenth-All persons who have
voluntarily participated in said rebel
lion, and the esteemed value Of whose
taxable property is over twenty thous-
and dollars.
Fourteenth-All persons who have
taken the oath of amnesty as prescribed
in the presidents proclamation of Dec.
8th, 1853, or an oath of allegiance to the
Government CT the United States since
the date of such proclamation, and who
have not thenceforward kept and main.
tanned the same inviolate; provided
that special application may be made to
the president for pardon by any person
belonging to the excepted class, anC
such claims will be literally extended
as may be consistent with the faith Of
the case and the peace and dignity o
the United States.
The object of the Secretary of STATE
in establishing rules and regulations fol
administering and recording the said
amnesty oath was to insure its benetl
to the people and guard the government