The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-07-22
WILLIAM Il. sEwApD, Secretary of State

hEADQ RS SECOND MILITARY DISTRICT, I
CHARLESTON, S, c., July 10, 1868.
General Orders, No. 1856.
In view ofthe approaching termination OF
the military authority derived from and oxer
clsed by virtue of the act of Congress passed
March 2, 1867, entitled " An act to provide
for the moro efficient governn ent Of the rebel
States, " and the acts supplementary thereto,
which laws are about to become imperative by
reason Of the fulhlment Of the conditions and
limitations prescribed by the provisions there
Of And the State of South Carolina having by
its Legislature ratified the constitutional
amendment known as article fourteen, the
following instructions arc promulgated for the
information and guidance Of the officers Of
this command serving in the said State:
/. Upon the issuing OF the proclamation OF
the President of tho United States, prescribed
by Eection 3 Of the act of Jure Is, 1868, an.
nouncing the ratification of the sLid consttu,
tional amendment, tho commanding officers o
posts in said State will cease to exercise any
and all authority conferred under said recon.
struction acts OF Congress, except so far us
necessary for the Inauguration Of the new State
government aud to close up uninisked bust.
ness.
2. The terms Of ofics and all Official func
lions Of registrars, inspectors, managers, OIL
Judges Of election, military commissioners,
or OF her military agents In South Carolina, ap,
Tointed under the authority ofthe rcoon'truc.
lion laws Of the United States, will end at the
date of the proclamation VI the President re-
erred to 10 the preceding section, and all such
lhcors or agents will, without delay, forward
10 these headquarters any books or records re.
lating to their official duties that may BIO in
heir possession. They will also transmit n
list Of the property purchased with public
funds, and exhibit the disposition made Of H.
8. The provost courts now existing in South
Carolina are abolished, and the records vii
10 transmitted without delay to these head
quarters.
4. The tenure Of all appointeGs to civil ohict
in the State Of South Carolina under the "a
ihority ofthe reconstruction laws Of the United
States will terminate when their successors
elected or appointed under tho Constitution
and laws Of the said State, shat be duly
qualiisd.
8. All citizens who, ut the date Of the proc
Iamation above referred to, may be in the Gus.
tody Of the military authorities, and held for
trial for acts In violation Of tho reconstruction
laws Of the United States, or in violation o.
military orders issued under the authority Of
the said laws, will be discharged from Gus
lody, and the military prosecution dismissed
6. At the same time tho prisoners (citizens
held by military authority for trial, whether
10 confinement or on bail, for crimes or Of
isnres e6gnizsble under tho laws Of the pro.
YiSionsl government Of said State, will be
'urnsd over 70 The custody Of the proper civil
upthVTitieti and all bonds, undertakings de-
pOFitf. or other security for appearance OF
personI charged With crimes or offences /
eobrt, taken by military authority in this
district IN pprt1tncs d the provisions OF