The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-13
PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES

PkOCLAMA11ON u
UNITED STATES.
Whereas the President of the United States, on
the 9Th day of December, A. d. 1863 and on the
osth day of March, a. p. 1864 did, with the object
to suppress the existing rebellion, to induce all per-
sons to return their loyalty, and to restore the
authority of the United States, issue proclamatons
Offering amnesty and pardon to certain persons who
had, directly or by implication participated in the
said rebellion; and whereas many persons who had
so engaged in said rebellion, have since the issuance
of said proclamation failed neglected to. take
the benefits offered thereby; and whereas many per-
sons who have been justly deprived of all claim to
amnesty and pardon Hereunder by reason OF their
participation directly by implication, in said re-
bellion and continued hostility the government
of the United States since the date of said procama-
ton, desire to apply for and obtain amnesty and
pardon; 49, .-@
To the end therefore, that the authority of the
government of the United States may be restored,
and that peace, order ami freedom may be estab-
ished, /, ANDREW JOHNSON. President OF the United
States do proclaim and declare that hereby grant
Fall persons who have directly or indirectly par
1cipated in the existing rebellion, except herein
sitter excepted, amnesty and pardon, with restora-
ton of all rights of property, except to slaves and
except in cases where legal proceedings, under the
laws Of the United States providing for the confs-
cation of property of persons engaged in rebellion,
have been instituted, but the condition, never
sheless, that every such person shall take and sub
scribe the following oath or affirmation and thence
forward keep and maintain said oath inviolate and
servation and shall be of the tenor and effect fol-
lowing, to-wi:-
do solesnniy swear or affirm, in PIE.
sence of Almighty God, that will hencefsrth faith.
fully support and defend the Constitution of the
United States and the Union of the States thereun.
der, and that will, in like manner abide by and
faithfully support all laws and proclamatons which
have been made during the existing rebellion with
reference 70 the emancipation of slaves. So help
me God.
The following classes of persons are excepted from
9 the benefits of this proclamation:
First-All who shall have been pretended
civil diplomatic officers otherwise, domestic or
foreign agents of the pretended Confederate govern
ment.
second-An who left judicial stations under the
United States to aid the rebellion.
Third-An who shall have been military or naval
officers of said pretended Confederate government
ADORE the rank of Colonel in the army Lertenant
in the navy:
Fourth--AH 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 navy of :he US.
10 evade duty in resisting the rebelio
Sixth-All who have engaged in any way in treat
ing otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war per-
found in the u S. service, officers, soldiers,
seameh on in other capacities
Seventh-All persons who have been are alb
sentees from the U. 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 West Point, the U. s.
Naval Academy.
Ninth-l4ll persons who held the pretended offices
of Governors of States in Instruction against the
United States.
Tenth-All persons who left their homes Within
the Jurisdiction and protection of the United States,
and passed beyond the federal military lines into
the socalled Confederate States for the purpose of
aiding the rebellion.
who hay hceO aped 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, been
engaged in destroying :he commerce of the United
States upon the lakes and rivers that separate the
British provinces from the United States
Twelfth-All persons who, at the time"when they
seek to obtain the benefits hereof by taking the oath
herein prescribed, are in military, naval civil
confinement custody, under bonds of the civil,
military naval authorities of agents of the United
States as prisoners of war persons detained for
offences ofany kind either before after conviction
Thirteenth-An persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion, and the estimated
value of whose taxable property is over twenty
thousand dollars.
Foufteenth-Al persons who have taken the oath
of amnesty as prescribed in the Presidents procla-
nation of December eight A. D. one thou sand eight
hundred and sixty-three oath of allegiance to
the government of the United States since the date
Of said proclamation, and who have not thencefor-
ward kept and maintained the same inviolate:
Provided that special application may be mace to
the President for pardon by any person belonging to
the excepted classes and such clemeucy will be lib
orally extended may be consistent with the facts
ofthe case and the peace and dignity of the United
States.
The Secretary of State will establish rules and
regulations for administering and recording the said
amnesty oath to insure its benefit to the peo-
pie, and guard the government against fraud
In testimony whereof, l have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States be
affixed. Done at the City of Washington, the goth
day of May, in the year of Our Losd 1865. and of
the independence of the United States the seth.
'. $50 80 ANDREW JOHNSON.
BY the President-Wm H Seward See'y of State.