The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-04
OFFICIAL.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
By the President of theUnited States of America.
A PROCLAMATION.

A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, the 4th section of the 4th
article of the Constitution of the United
States declares that the United States
shall guarantee to every State in the
Union republican form of government
and shall protect each of them agains,
invasion and domestic violence; and
whereas the President of the United
States is, by the Constitution, made
COmmander-in-Chief of the army and
navy, as well as chief civil executive
officer of the United States, and is bound
by solemn oath faithfully to execute the
office of President of the United States,
and to take care that the laws be faith
fully executed and whereas the rebel
lion which has been waged by portion
of the people of the United States against
the properly constituted authorities of
the Government thereof, in the most
violent and revolving form, but whose
organized and armed forces have now
been almost entirely overcome, has, in
its revolutionary progress, deprived the
people OF the State of South Carolina of
all civil government; and whereas 1t be-
comes necessary and proper to carry out
and enforce the obligations of the Uni
ted States to the people. of South Carroll
ma in securing them in the enjoymentof
a republican form of government:
Now, therefore, in obedience to the
high and solemn duties imposed upon me
by the Constitution of the United States,
and for the purpose of enabling the loyal
people of said State to organize State
government, whereby justice may be es-
tablished, domestic tranquility insured,
and loyal citizens protected in all their
rights of life, liberty, and property, |,
Andrew Johnson, Presidentofthe United
States, and commander-in-chief of the
army and navy of the United States, do
hereby appoint Benjamin f. Perry, of
South Carolina, provisional governor of
the State of South Carolina, whose duty
it shall be, at the earliest practicable
period, to prescribe such rules and regu-
lations as may be necessary and proper
for converting convention, composed of
delegates to be chosen by thataportion of
the people of said State who are loyalto
the United States, and no others, fOrthe
purpose of altering or amending the con-
stitution thereof; and with authority to
exercise, within the limits of said State,
all the powers necessary and proper to
enable such loyal people of the State of
South Carolina to restore said State
to its constitutional relations to the
Federal government, and to present such
republican form of State government
as will entitle the State to the guarantee
of the United States therefor, and its
people to protection by the United States
against invasion, instruction, and do
nestle violence; provided that, in any
election that may be hereafter held for
choosing delegates to any State conven-
tiOnas aforesaid, no person shall be quail
fed as an elector, or shall be eligible as
member of such convention, unless he
shall have previously taken and SUBJ
scribed the oath of amnesty, as set forth
in the Presidents proclamation of May
Goth, A., d. 1865, and is voter qualified
as prescribed by the constitution and
laws of the State of South Carolina in
force Immediately before the seventeenth
17th) day of November, A. ID. 1880, the
date Of the so-called ordinance of secess-
ion; and the said convention, when con-
vened, or the legislature that may be
thereafter assembled, will prescribe the
qualification of electors, and the eligibil-
ity of persons to hold office under the
constitution and laws of the State,
power the people of the several States
composing the Federal Union have
rightfully exercised from the origin of
the Government to the present time.
And do hereby direct
First, That the military commander
of the department., and all officers and
persons in the military and naval SER
Governor in carrying into effect this pro-
clamation, and they are enjoined to alb
stain from, in any way, hindering, i'm
rodinn oy,H icontp ,a oir tho 1nvyo1 ,oonn1o
from the organization of State govern
ment as herein authorized.
Second. That the Secretary of State
proceed to put in force all laws of the
United States, the administration where
of belongs to the State Department, APP
plicable to the geographical limits afore-
said.
Third. That the Secretary of the Trea-
sury proceed to nominate for appoint
ment assessors of taxes, and collectors Of
customs and internal revenue, and such
other officers of the Treasury Depart
ment as are authorized by law, and put
in execution the revenue laws of the
United States within the geographical
limits aforesaid. In making appoint
ments, the preference shall be given to
qualified loyal persons residing within
the districts where their respective du-
ties are to be performed. But if suita-
BILE residents of the districts shall not be
found, then persons residing in other
States or districts shall be appointed,
Fourth. That the Postmaster General
proceed to establish post offices andpost
routes, and put into execution the postal
laws of the United States within the said
State, giving to loyal residents thepref-
erence of appointment; but if suitable
residents are not found, then to appoint
agents, &C., from other States.
Fsfth. That the district Judge for the
judicial district in which South Carolina
Is included, proceed to hold courts with
in said State, in accordance with thepro-
visions of the act of Congress. The At
torney General will instruct the proper
officers to libel, and bring to Judgment,
and sale, property subject to
and enforce The administra-
ton of justice within said State in all
matters within the cognizance and juris-
iiction of the Federal courts.
Sirth. That the Secretary of the Navy,
lake possession of all public property be-
onging to the Navy Department with
IN said geographical limits, and put in |
operation all acts of Congress in relation |
@ naval affairs having application to the
,aid State. .4
Seventh. That the Secretary of the In
error put in force the laws relating to |
he Interior Department applicable to
he geographical limits aforesaid. |
In testimony whereof, have hereun-
o set my hand and caused the seal of
n L. A. 49,