The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-18
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.

|
! Whereas, the President Of the United States q,
the 9Th day Of December, A. ID. 1863, and on Il.
26th day of March, A. ID. 1864, did, with the object
to suppress the existing rebellion, TO induce all per-
sons TO return to their loyalty, and TO restore the
authority of the United States, Issue proclamation
offering amnesty and pardon to certain persons VIII
had, directly by implication, participated in lA
said rebellion; and whereas many persons who bad
so engaged in said rebellion. have since the issuance
| of said proclamation failed neglected to taxi
the benefits offered thereby; and whereas many per
sons tho have been justly deprived Of all claim 10
amnesty and pardon thereunder by reason Of Their
participation, directly or by implication, In said r.
bellion and continued hostility 10 the governmen
of the United States since the date OF said proclams
ton, now desire to apply for and obtain amnestyand
! pardon;
To the end, therefore, that the authority Of The
| government of the United States may be restored
| and that peace, order aud freedom may be esiab-
lished, |, ANDREW Johnson President of the United
States, do proclaim and declare that hereby grant
to all persons who have directly or indirectly par.
ticipated in the existing rebellion except herein.
after excepted, amnesty and pardon, with restora
tion of all rights of property except as To slaves AMI
except in cases where legal proceedings, under ih
laws OF the United States providing for the conts
cation of property of persons engaged in rebeiC-
have been instituted, but the condition. never
theless, that every such person shall take and ss
scribe the following oath affirmation, and thela.
forward keep and maintain said oath inviolate and
which Odln SnallDe registered peTmhueut Pt
servation, and shall be fthe tenor and effect h.
lowing, to-wit:- IT. .#.r.
], - -, do solemniy swear or affirm, in pre-
sence of Almighty God, that will henceferth faith
fully support and defend the Constitution Of the
United States and the Union of the States thercuu
der, and that WILL in like manner, abide by and
faithfully support all laws and proclamatens which
have been made during the existing rebellion with
reference 20 the emancipation of slaves. So help
me Cod
The following classes of persons are excepted hOr
the benefits of this proclamation:
First-All who are or shall have been Pretend
civil or diplomatic officers otherwise, domestic Or
foreign agents of the pretended Confederate govern
ment.
Second-All who left judicial stations under the
United States to aid the rebellion.
Third-All who shall have been military or naval
officers of said pretended Confederate government
above the rank of Colonel in the army or Lieutenant
in the navy.
FOurth-All who left seats in the Congress Of The
United States TO aid the rebellion.
Fifth-All who resigned or rendered designations
of their commissions in the army or navy of :he US
to evade duty in resisting the rebelliOa-- -
Sixth-All who have engaged in any way in treat
ing otherwise than lawfully prisoners Of war per-
sons found in the U. S. service, officers soldiers
seamen, or in other capacities.
Seventh-All persons who have been are ab.
sentees from the T. s. for the purpose of aiding the
rebellion.
Eighth-All military and naval officers in the
rebel service who were educated by the government
in the Military Academy at West Point, or the L.
Naval Academy.
Ninth-All persons who held the pretended Offices
of Governors of States in instruction against The
United States.
Tenth-All persons who left their homes wihs
the jurisdiction and protection of the United Staie
and passed beyond the federal military lines Eo
the so-called Confederate States for the purpose Of
aiding the rebellion.
Eleventh-All persons who have been engaged in
the destruction of the commerce of the United States
upon the high seas, and all persons who have made
raids into the United States from Canada, or beeH
engaged in destroying the commerce of the United
States upon the lakes and rivers that separate The
British provinces from the United States
Twelfth-An persons who, at the time whenjk
seek to obtain the benefits hereof by taking the on
herein prescribed, are in military, naval or eiI
confinement or custody, or under bonds of the e'A
military or naval authorities OF agents Of the Une
States as prisoners Of war or persons detained 10
offences ofany kind either before after conyeioa
Thirteenth-All persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion, and the estima'ea
value of whose taxable property is over twenty
thousand dollars.
Fourteenth-All persons who have taken the OaA
Of amnesty as prescribed in the Presidents proeIe'
nation of December eight, A. ID. one thousand eign
hundred and sixty-three. or an oath Of allegancep
the government of the United States since the o."
Of said proclamation, and who have not theneeiOF
ward kept and maintained the salne involaie:
Provided that special application may be made y
the President for pardon by any person belonging
the excepted classes, and such clemeucy vii! be
orally extended as may be consistent with the ae,
of the case and the peace and dignity OF the Cne-
States.
The Secretary of State will establish rules anI
regulations for administering and recording The ''
amnesty oath so az TO insure its benefit 10 the l0
pie, and guard the government against fraud.
In testimony whereof, 1 have hereunto sd ..
hand and caused the zeal Of the United States 'OV
affixed Done at the city Of Washington, the ~
day of May, in the year of Our Lord 1905, ANU
the independence Of the United States the sofa.
ANDREW JOHNSON.