The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-08-15
PRESIDENT JoHNsoNs AMNESTY.
A PROCLAMATION BIZ The PRECEDENT.

Whereas, the President of this United States,
on the 9th day OF December, A. d. eighteen
hundred and sixty-three, and on the 18th day Of
March, A. ID. eighteen hundred and sixty.four,
did. with the object to suppress the existing re-
bellion, TO induce all persons to return to their
LOYALTY, and to restore the authority of the Uni
ted States, Issue proclsmstions offering amnesty
and pardon to certain persons, who had directly
or By implication participated m the said rebel
lion and .E.
Whereas, many persons who had SO engaged in
said rebellion have, since the issuance Of said
proclsmations, failed or neglected to take the
benefits offered thereby and
Whereas, many persons, who have been Justly
deprived of all claim to amnesty and pardon there's
under, by reason of their participation directly or
by Implication in said rebellion, and continued
in hostility to the Government OF the United
States since the date of said proclamation, now
desire TO apply for and obtain amnesty and par
don r'-
To the end, therefore, that the authority of the
Government OF the United States may be re-
stored, and that peace, order and freedom may
be fe.established, ], Andrew Johnson, President
Of the United States, do proclaim and declare
that hereby grant to all persons who have d.
reetly or indirectly participated in the existing
rebellion, except ss hereinafter excepted, amnesty
and pardon, with restoration of all rights of pro-
peyty, except az to slaves, and except in cases
where legal proceedings under the laws of the
United States providing for the oeniscstion of
pIOp6Ety VI poIhOub 6nRAReu III I6UeHlOu nave
been instituted; but on the condition, neverthe-
less, that every such person shall take and SUBJ
scribe the following oath or affirmation, and
thencsforvard keep and maintain said oath invio~
late, and which oath shall be registered for per
nans.t preservation, and shall be of the tenor
and effect following, to wit:
al, --, do eolemnly swear, Tor affirm in
presence OF Almighty God, that will hencetorth
faithfully support and defend the Constitution of
the United States and the Union of the States
thsseundeF, and that will, in like manner, abide
by and faithfully support all laws and proclama-
lions which have been made during the existing
rebellion, with reference to the emancipation OF
slaves, so help nae God"
Tho following classes of persons are excepted
om the benefits of this pi reclamation:
First. All who are or shall have been pretended
evil or diplomatic officers, or otherwise domestic
OF foreign agents of the pretended Confederate
Government.
Second. All who left judicial stations under the
- United States TO aid the rebellion.
Third. All who shall have been military or ma.
val officers OF said pretended Confederate Gov
eminent above the rank Of Colonel in the army
a. Lieutenant in the navy.
Fourth. All who left seats in the Congress of
the United States to aid the rebellion.
Mfth. All who resigned or rendered resigna~
tiOns OF their commissions in the army or navy
Of the United States to evade duty in resisting
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, soldiers, seamen, or in other capaci,
Bsvsnth. All persons who have been or are
absentses from the United States for the purpose
of aiding the rebellion. 3 i't
~ Eighth. All military and naval officers in the
msnt in the Military Academy at West Point or
che Upited States Naval Academy. >'
4 Ninth. All persons who held the pretented of
ID Aese, o. governors OF States in instruction
ntn0
Tenth. All persons who left their homes within
Ahe Jurisdiction aud protection of the United
6tatess and passed beyond the Federal military
lines ins4 the so-cshed Confederate States, for
Eleventh. All persons who have been engaged
IN the dBstrnctien OF the commerce of the United
Dtstss upon the high seas, and all persons who
Aeys made raids inte the United States from Can
g ads, or been gagged in destroying the commerce
OF the United States upon the lakes and rivers
sAas separate the British Provinces from the UNI
ted States. s-sY q, a. .s.mol T. asal4L
s.. Twelfth. All persona who, at the time when
shsy geek 10 obtain the benefits hereofIby taking
she oath herein prescribed, are in military, naval
or civil confinement or custody, or under bonds
Of the sivi, military or naval authorities or gents
Of the United States as prisoners of war, or per>
sons detained for offences OF any kind either be~
aore or after conviction. - -hllF
Thirteenth. AL persons who have voluntarily
participated In said rebellion, and the estimated
value of Whose taxable property is ever twenty
oRourtssnth. All persons who have taken the
oath of amnesty as prescribed in the Presidents
Proclamation Of December s, A. d. 1858, or an
oath Of Rnei Ance to the Government of the Uni
hed States since the date of said PROCLAIM alton
and who have not thenoeforward kept and main
tanned the same invSolate; provided, that special
application may be made to the President for
pardon BY any person belonging to the excepted
classes. and such elemency will be literally ex.
tended % may be consistent with the facts of the
ease and the peace and dignity of the United
States. zsd s. aaI y'ila9G97 2ii,l( 3.'- nc-
gho Secretary Of State will establish rules and
tssg1iasions for administering and recording the
said amnesty oath, SO as to insure its benefit to
shs peopis and guard the Government against
fraud.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto set nv
hand and caused the seal Of the United States to
Done At the oily Of Washington, the twenty.ninth
f~s>, day Of May. in the year of our Lord
$As. one thousand eight hundred and sixty
49, i've, and of the Independence of the
United States the eighty-niRth.
n, ANDREW JOHNSON.
VIZ. n. SEWARD. Secretary Of State
-f.s.ra "a fIags5i ggLitlt = lllL3 afGSa4-
ssAH02I0Ha FoR ADkIEIsTRRING AND RECORDING THE
'- '-@a. AMNESTY OATH
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,