The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-20
BY THE president OF THE
UNITED STATES.

Il
PROCLAMATION BY THE president OF THE
UNITED STATES
Whereas the President of the United States on
the 9Th day of December, A. D. 1868, and on the
26th day of March, A. D. 1864, did, with the object
to suppress the existing rebellion to induce all per-
soas to return to their loyalty and to restore the
authority of the United States, issue proca
offering amnesty and pardon to certain persons who
had, directly by implication, participated in the
said rebellion; and whereas many persons who bad
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 TO the government
of the United States since the date of said pociama-
ton, desire to apply for and obtain amnesty anu
PARDON
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-
lshed, I, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United
States do proclaim and declare that ! hereby grant
10 all persons who have directly or indirectly par
tcipated in the existing rebellion except as herein
after excepted, amnesty and pardon, with restora-
ton of all rights property except to slaves, and
except in where legal proceedings, under the
laws Of the United States providing for the conts
cation of property of persons engaged in rebellion
have been instituted, but the condition, never
theless, that every such person shall take and sub
scribe the following oath or affirmation and thence
forward keep and maintain said oath npiolate, and
which oath shallbe registered for permanent pre-
seryation, and shall be of the tenor and effect fol-
lowing, to-wit - '.
I, -<- do sole mniy swear or affirm, in pre-
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
+bo
reference TO the emancipation Of slaves. So help
NE God.
The following classes of persons excepted from
the benefits of this proclamation:
First-All who shall have been pretended
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 Ma, al
officers of said pretended Confederate government
above the rank Of Colonel in the army Lieutenant
IN the navy.
Fourth-All who left seats in the Congress of the
United States aid the rebellion.
fitth--Al who resigned or rendered designations
Of their commissions IN the army navy OF The Us.
eVade duty in resisting the rebellion.
Sixth--All who have engaged in any way in treat
Jag otherwise than lawfully prisoners of war per-
sons found in the U. S. service, officers, soldiers,
se&men, or in other Capacities.
oeventh--AN persons who have been or are alb
entees from the u S. for the purpose of aiding the
rebellion. .-
Eighth-AH military and naval officers in the
rebel service who educated By the government
in the Military Academy at West Point or the T. s.
NaEal Academy
Ninth-AH persons who held the pretended offices
Of Governors OF States in instruction against the
United States
Tenth--Al persons who left their homes within
The jurSdctionen protection Of the United States,
and passed beyond the federal military lines into
the socalled Confederate States for the purpose OF
aiding the rebellion. f
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 been
engaged in destroying the 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 obtain the benefits hereof by taking the oath
herein prescribed are in military, naval oreivil
confinement custody; under bonds of the civil,
military naval authorities of agents of the United
States, prisoners of war persons detained for
offences ofany kind either before after conviction
Thirteenth-Al persons who have voluntarily
participated in said rebellion, and the estimated
value of whose taxable property is over twenty
thousand dollars
Fourteenth-All persons who have taken the oath
of amnesty as prescribed in the Presidents proca-
nation of December eight, A. D. one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-three or oath of alleganceto
the government of the United States since the date
ST said proclamation, and who have thencetor-
ward kept and maintained the same inEio(ate
Provided that special application may be made to
the President for pardon by any person belonging to
the excepted classes and such elemency will belib
orally extended may be consistent with the facts
Of the 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 so insure its benefit to the peo-
pie, and guard the government against fraud.
In testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto set my
aand and caused the seal of the United States to be
affixed. Done at the city of Washington, the 29th