The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-12
Amnesty Proclamation.
WASHINGTON, May %

By the President Of the United States Of america:
WHEREAS, the President of the United
States, on the 9Th day of December,
1868, and on the 18th day of March,
1864, did, with the object to suppress the |
existing rebellion, to induce all persons
to return to their loyalty, and to restore
the authority of the United States issue
a proclamation offering amnesty and
pardon to certain persons who have di-
rectIy or by implication participated in
the said rebellion; and whereas, many
persons who had SO engaged in said re-
bellion have, since the issuance of said
proclamation, failed or neglected to take
the benefits afforded thereby; and where
as, many persons who have been justly
deprived Of all claim to amnesty and par
don hereunder by reason of their particle
patton, directlyor by implication, in said
rebellion, and continued hostility to the
government of the United States sincethe
date of said proclamation, now desire to
apply for and obtain amnesty and par
don. To the end thereunto, and that
the authority of the Government of the
United States may be restored, and that
peace, order and freedom may be estab-
fshed, I, Andrew johnson, President of
the United States, do proclaim that I
hereby grant to all persons who have
directly or indirectly participated in the
existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
excepted, amnesty and pardon, with a
restoration of all the rights of property,
except as to slaves; and except in case
where legal proceedings under laws of
the United States providing for the con-
fiscation of property of persons engaged
in the rebellion have been instituted;
but on condition nevertheless that every |
ct9a tol yn a n
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 Of
the following, to-wit: aiev
II do sOlemnly swear or affirm in the
presence of Almighty God, that | Will
henceforth faithfully defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States and the
Union Hereunder, and that / will Unlike
manner abide by and faithfully aid aud
support all laws and proclamations
which have been made during the ex-
| listing rebellion with reference to the
emancipation of slaves, SO help me
| God.n
The following classes of persons are
excepted from the benefits of this proc
lamation I ~
|
| pretended civil or diplomatic officers; or
otherwise, domestic or foreign agents of
the pretended Confederate Government.
2d.--All who left judicial seats under
the United States to aid the rebellion.
3d.-All who shall have been army or
naval officers of the said pretended Con-
| federate Government, above the rank of
Colonel in the army, or Lieutenant in
| the navy. 5s '...:.4 AZ sa
4th.-All who left seats in the Con-
! gress of the United States to aid the re-
bellioK! 13ata4 3i,- g AZ
5th.--All who resigned their coyamis-
sions in the army or navy of the United
States to evade duty in resisting the re-
bellion.
6th.--All who have engaged in any
way in treating otherwise hanlawful, as
prisoners of war, persons found in the
United States service as officers, seamen
or in any other capacity.
7th.-All persons who have been, or
are, absent.from the United States for
the purpose of aiding the rebellion. r.
Sth.-All military and naval officers
| in the rebel service, who were educated
| by the government in the military acad-
envy at West Point or the United States
naval academy s ,a...-
6th.-All persons who held the pre-
| tended Office of Governors of States in
instruction against the United States.
l0th.--All persons who left their homes
within the jurisdiction and protection o.
the United States, and passed beyond
the Federal military lines into the so
called Confederate States, for the pur
pose of aiding the rebellion. e..
l1th.-All persons who have been en-.
gagged in the destruction of commerce Of
the United States upon the high seas
and all persons who have made raids
into the United States from Canada, OF
those engaged in destroying the com
merce of the United States upon the
lakes and rivers that separate the Brit
ish Provinces from the United States.
| 12th.-All persons who at the time
hereof by taking the oath here by pre-
scribed, or military, naval or civ con.
| fnement or custody, or under arr est OF
the civil, military or naval authoriti es OF
agents OF the United States, as prise. 9ers
OF war, or persons detained for often Yes
Of any kind, either before or after co.'-
| viction. e-HtE
l3th.-All persons who shall have
voluntarily participated In said rebellion,
and the extenuated value of whose taxa
BILE property is over $50, 900.
14th.-All persons who have taken the
| oath of amnesty as prescribed In the
| Presidents proclamation of Dec. 18th,
A. ID. 1868, or an oath Of allegiance to
the Government of the United States
since the date of said proclamation, and
who have thenceforward kept and MAIN
tanned the same inviolate, provided that
special application may be made to the
President for pardon by ANY person
claiming the executive clemency. and
such clemency will be as literally ex-
tended as may be consistent with the
fact in the case and the peace and dipni-
ty of the United States. The Secretary
Of State will establish rules and regula-
tons for the administration and record
ing said amnesty oath in order to give its
Dement'S to the people andguard the Gov
eminent against fraud.
In testimony, whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand, and caus-
IL. ST. ed the seal of the United States
to be affixed. Ri II
Done at the city of Washington this
18th day of May, in. the year of our
Lord 1865, and Of the Independence of
the United States of America the
eighty-ninth. .a4 tt
tJld afii' ot5 ANDREW JOHNSON.
BY the President: --....,.
VIM IT SEwARD Eeciv Of State.