The weekly Butte record., 1867-09-14
Pardon Proclamation by the President.

Pardon Proclamation by the President.
By the President of the United States of America:
WHEREAS. in the month of July. A. D. 1851. the
two Houses of Congress with extraordinary unan-
unity solemnly declared that the war then existing
was not waged the part of the Government in
any spirit OF oppression. nor for a7y purpose of
conquest of sntjngaton. nor for the purpose OF
overthrnwing interfering with the rights or es-
tab'ished institutions ot the States; but to defend
and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution
to preserve the Union with all the dignity the
equality of the rights of the several States unm
paired: and that as soon these oh ectS accom-
pli>hed the war ought TO cease: and. whereas the
President of the United States on the Sth dav Of
December. 1868. and on the 26th Of March. 1864
did with the object of suppressing the then existing
rebellion, of inducing all persons return to their
loyalty and of restoring the authority of the United
States, Issue proclamation offering amnesty and
pardon TO all persons who had. directly or ndi-
rectly, participated in the then existing rebellion.
except as in those proclamatianS specified and
reserved: and whereas the President Of the United
States did, the 10Th day of May. A. D. 1866 is
sue further proclamation. with the same objects
before mentioned, and TO the end that the authority
of the Government OF the United States might be
restored ard that peace. order and freedom might
be stabiShed and the President did. by said last
mentioned proclamation. proclaim and declare that
hereby granted all persons who had directly or in
directly, participated in the existing rebelli eX
cept as therein excepted amnesty and pardon, with
the restoration of all the rights of property except
= TO slaves. except in certain cases where legal
proceedings had been instituted, but upon condition
that such persons should take and Subscribe oath
therein prescribed which oath shGuld be registered
tor permanent preservation: and whereas in and
by said last mentioned proclamation Of the 10Th of
May. 1865, fourteen extensive classes of pc sons
therein specially described were altogether eXcep-
ted and and excluded from the benefits thereof: and
whereas, the President of the United States did,
the I'd day OF Apal. 1865 issue a proclamation de-
ciarng that the insGrrecton was at an erd and
was thenceferth to bs regarded: and whereas.
there now exists no organized armed resistance TO
the authority of the United States in the States of
Georgia South Carolina. North Carolina. Virginia,
Tennessee, 4 Alabama. Louisiana. Arkansas MisSis-
sippt, Florida and Texas, the laws he sustained
AMI enforced therein by proper civil authority.
state or Federal. aud the people of said States are
well and loyalty disposed and have conformed, ard
/: permitted 10 do will conform in legislation tp
the conditions OF affairs growing out of the amend
ments to the Constitution prohibiting slavery with
in the limits and Jurisdiction Of the United States:
and where's. there no longer exists any reasonable
danger, nor is any 10 be unprecedented within the
States which were involved in the late rebellion.
any unlawful resistance by the people of said States
to the Constitution and laws of the United States;
and whereas. as large standing armies. military
cupation. martial law, military tribunals and the
suspension ot the privilege Of the habeas corpus
and the right of trial by jury are in time of peace
with the rights of citizens. contrary 10 the genius
and spirit of our free institutions and exhaustive of
the national resources. and ought not therefore TO
be sanc ioned or allowed. except in cases of actual
necessity for repeng invasion or suppresSing in
surrectiun rebellion; and, whereas. retalatory
or vindiCtive policy attended by unnecessary dis
qualifications pains penalties. coEiScaton and dis
frachi>ement. now aud always could only tend to
hinder reconciliation among the people aid nation
al restoration while it must seriously emba rrass.
NhStIuct 10 p
industry and enterprise: and. whereas for these
reasons 1t i now deemed essential II the public
welfare. To 4 more perfect restoration and the con-
trol of law and order, that said last mentioned
proclamation aforesaid issued on the e9th day of
May. 1865 should be modified. and that the full and
beneicent pardon conceded thereby should be open
ed and nrther extended TO a large number OF per
sons who. hv its aforesaid exceptions. have been
hitherto excluded from the Executive clemency:
Now, therefore. he it known That |. Andrew
Sohnson, President OF the United States DO he reby
proclaim and declare that the fnll pardon described
in said proclamation Of the 29th of May 1855 shall
hencefurth be opened and extended To all persons
wbo directly, or indirectly participated in the late
rebellion with the restoration OF all privileges
immunlties and the rights of property except as to
property witt! regard To slaves except in cases lea
ding to proceedings under law OF the United States;
bat upon this condition. nevertheless, that every
such person who shall seek TO avail himself OF this
pardon shall take and subscribe the following oath,
and shall cause the tn be registered for per-
mauent preservation. in some manner, with the
same effect with the oath pTescl ibed in said procla
nation OF May .9th. ls65, namely:
Il do soemnly swear Cor affirm in the presence
of Almighty God that will henceforth support
protect aud defend the Constitution and Union of
states thereEnder, auc that will in like manner
abide by and faithfully support all laws and proc
larnstions which have been made during the late
rebellion with reference TO tie emancipation of
slaves: so hep nae God.
The following persons and no others excluded
from the fenehts of this proclamation and said
proclamation of 10Th May. lSs5. namely:
FlrSt-The chief or pretended chief executive
officers. including the President, Vice President
and all heads of departments of the pretended con-
iederate or rebel government, and all who were
agents thereof IN foreign states and countries, and
all who had pretended to hold in the service OF
said pretended Confederate Government. military
rars title above the grade Of Brigadier General
anu the naval rank or title above IN ii Of Captain.
and all who were pretended TO be Governors OF
States while maintaining. aoetting and submitting
10 and acJaiescIng III the rebellion.
Seeond-Au persons who in any WY treated
otherwise than a. lawful prisoners OF war the per
who in any capacity were employed or engag-
ed in the military service of the United states.
Thiri-An persons who al the time they may
seek t. obtain the bene s of this proclamation are
actually in civil. military naval confinement, er
held to bail before or after conviction and all per
sons who were engaged directly or indirectly in the
assassination of the late President OF the United
States. or in any plot conspiracy in any manner
Herewith connected
In testimony whereof l have signed these pres
eats with my hand, and have caused the seal Of the
United States 10 be fhereGnto affixed. Done at the
City of Washington, the ia day OF Sepiemoer
Is67. ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President: WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
Secretary of State.