Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-05-12
PROCLAMATION
BY THE PRESIDENT.
CONFEDERATE CRUISERS DENOUNCED.
NEUTRAL POWERS NOT TO HARBOR
.tF THEM. t
THE STATE OF VIRGINIA RESTORED TO
THE UNION.
GOV. PIERPoNT RECOGNIZED.

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, May Q, 1865.
President johnson has issued proclama-
ton, declaring that, whereas, armed resis-
lance to the authority of the Go vernment
In certain States heretofore declared Ia in
surrection, may be regarded as virtually at
an end, and the persons by whom that re-
sistance as well as the operations of the
ipsurgent cruisers were directed, are fugi-
tves or captives; and, " hereas, 1t is under
stood that some of those cruisers are still in.
Testing the high seas, and others are prepar-
ing to capture, burn and destroy vessels OF
the United States; he enioins all naval, mill
tary and civil officers OF the United States
diligently TO endeavor, by all lawful means,
to arrest the said cruisers and to bring them
into port of the United States, In order
that they may be prevented from commit
ting further depredatiOns on commerce, and
that the persons on board Of them may no
longer enjoy immunity for their crimes ;
and he further proclaims and declares that
If, after q reasonable time shall have elapsed
for this proclamation to become known in
the ports of nations claiming TO have been
neutral, the said inSurgent cruisers and the
persons on board of them shall continue to
receive hospitality IN the said ports, this
Government will deem itself justified in re-
fusing hospitality to the public vessels OF
such nations in po Is of the United States,
and in adopting such other measures as may
be deemed advisable towards indicating the
national sovereignty.
The President HIS also issued an execu-
tive order to re-establish the authority of
the United States and executive the laws
within the geographical limits known as the
State of Virginia. 1t is ordered that all
acts and proceedings of the political, mill
tary and civil organizations which have been
! in state of insurrection and rebellion
within the State of Virginia against the au-
| thority and laws Of the United States, and
OF which Jefferson Davis, John Letcher and
| William Smith we're late the respective
chiefs, are declared null and void. All per-
| sons who shall exercise, claim, pretend or
| attempt TO exercise, any political, military
or civil power, autho ity, jurisdiction or
| right, ty, through or under Jefferson Davis,
| late of the city of Richmond, and his conf
dants, or under John Letchar or William
Smith, and their confidants, or under any
pretended political, military or civil COM
mission or authority issued by them or Of
them, since the 18th day OF April, 1861,
I shall be deemed and taken as in re bellion
against the United States. and shall be dealt
with accordingly.
The secretaries of State, War, Treasury,
Navy, and Interior, and the Postmaster
General, are ordered to proceed to put in
free all laws OF the United States pertain
ing to their several Departments, and the
District Judge of said District to proceed to
hold courts within said State in accordance
with the provisions Of the Acts of Congress.
The Attorney General will instruct the pro-
per officers to libel and bring to judgment,
confscation and sale, property subject to
conGscation, and enforce the administration
of Justice within said State in all matters
civil and criminal within the cogniZance of
the Federal courts, to carry into effect the
guaranty of the Federal Constitution Of a
republican form Of State Government, and
afford the advantage and security Of domes-
tic laws, as well as TO complete the re-estab-
lishment of the authority Of the laws of the
United States and the full and complete res
toratiou of peace within the limits alore-
said. Francis II. Pierpont, Governor ofthe
State Of Virginia, will be aided by the Fed
eral Government so far as may be necessary
in the lawful measures which he may take for
the extension and administration ofthe State
Government throughout the geographical
limits Of said State.