American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-06-07
VOLUME 2.
Amnesty Proclamation.
The Oath Administered to Rebels.
Persons Excepted from its Provisions.
Highly Important Official Document
WASHINGTON, May 30, 1865.
PROCLAMATION

ted States, en- the Sth day OF beceihoef'
1868. and on the Goth day Of March,
1864, did, with the object to suppress the
existing rebellion and induce all persons
to return to their loyalty, and restore the
authority of the United States, issue
proclamations offering amnesty and pardon
to certain persons who had directly or
by implication participated in the said
rebellion and,
WHEREAS, Many persons who had so
engaged in said rebellion, have since the
issue of said proclamations, failed or neg
lected to take the benefits offered thereby,
and
WAEREAs, Many persons who have
been justly deprived OF all claim to am
nesty and pardon there under, by reason
of their participation directly or by i'm
plication in said rebellion and continued
hostility to the government of the Uaited
States since the date of said proclamation.
now desire to apply for and obtain am
nesty and pardon.
To the end, therefore, that the author
it, of the Government of the United
States may he restored, and that peace,
order and freedom may be established, |,
Andrew johnson, President of the United
States do proclaim and declare that |
hereby grant to all persons who have di-
rectly or indirectly participated in the
existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
excepted, amnesty and pardon, with the
restoration of all rights OF property, ex-
cept in cases where legal proceedings,
under the laws of the United States pro-
viding for the con iscstion of property of
persons engaged in rebellion, have been
instituted, but on the condition, never
the ess, that every such person shall take
and subscribe to the following oath or
affirmation, and thenceforward keep and
maintain said oath inviolate, and which
oath shall be registered for permanent
preservation and shall be of the tenor and
effect following, to vit:
do soemnly swear or affirm in pres
ence of Almighty God, that will hence.
forth faithfully defend the Constitution
Of the United States and the Union Of
the States hereunder, and that will in
like manner abide by, and faithfully sup
port all laws and proclamations which
have been made during the existing re-
belion with reference to the emancipation
of slaves, so help me God.
The following classes of persons are
excepted from the benefits of this procla-
nation:
First-All who are OF shall have been
pretended diplomatic officers, or other
wise Domestic or Foreign Agents of the
pretended Confederate Government
Second-All who left Judicial offices
under the United States to aid the r
belion.
Third--All who shall have been Mill
tary or Naval officers of the pretended
Confederate Government, above the rank
of Colonel, in the army or navy.
Fourth-All who lett seats in the Con
grcss of the United States to aid the re-
belllon.
Fifth-All who resigned or rendered
designations of their commissions in the
army and navy of the United States, to
do duty in assisting 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 as officers, seamen,
or in other capacity.
Seventh-All persons who have been
or are away from the United States for
the purpose of aiding the rebellion.
Eighth-All Il military and naval officers
In the rebel service who were educated by
the 'overnment at the Military Academy
at West Point or the United Sta'es Ma
val Academy.
Ninth All persons who held the pre-
tended Offices of Governors of States in
insurrection against the United States,
and all persons who left their homes du-
ring the jurisdiction and protection of the
United States line, into the so called
Confederate States, for the purpose of
aiding the rebellion.
renth-All persons W ho haze been
engaged in the destruction of the COM
merce of the United States. on the high
seas, destroying the commerce of the
United States upcn the lakes or rivers
that separate the British Provinces from
the United States.
Eleventn-All lersons who al the time
when they seek to take the oath PIE