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issuance of said proclamations, failed or neglected to take the benefits offered thereby; and whereas many persons who have been justly deprived of all claim to amnesty and pardon thereunder by reason of their participation, directly or by implication, in said rebellion, and continued hostility to the Government of the United States since the date of said proclamations, now desire to apply for and obtain amnesty and pardon:

To the end, therefore, that the authority of the Government of the United States may be restored, and that peace, order, and freedom may be established, I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do proclaim and declare that I hereby grant to all persons who have, directly or indirectly, participated in the existing rebellion, except as hereinafter excepted, amnesty and pardon, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves, and except in cases where legal proceedings, under the laws of the United States providing for the confiscation of property of persons engaged in rebellion, have been instituted; but upon the condition, nevertheless, that every such person shall take and subscribe the following oath (or affirmation), and thenceforward keep and maintain said oath inviolate; and which oath shall be registered for permanent preservation, and shall be of the tenor and effect following, to wit:

"I, do solemnly swear (or affirm), in presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union of the States thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion, with reference to the emancipation of slaves: So help me God."

The following classes of persons are excepted from the benefits of this proclamation :

1st. All who are or shall have been pretended civil or diplomatic officers or otherwise domestic or foreign agents of the pretended government. 2d. All who left judicial stations under the United States to aid the rebellion.

3d. 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.

4th. All who left seats in the Congress of the United States to aid the rebellion.

5th. All who resigned or tendered resignations

of governors of States in insurrection against the United States.

10th. All persons who left their homes within the jurisdiction and protection of the United States, and passed beyond the Federal military lines into the pretended confederate States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.

11th. 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.

12th. All persons who, at the time when they seek to obtain the benefits hereof by taking the oath herein prescribed, are in military, naval, or civil confinement, or custody, or under bonds of the civil, military, or naval authorities, or agents of the United States, as prisoners of war, or persons detained for offences before or after conviction.

any kind, either

13th. All persons who have voluntarily participated in said rebellion, and the estimated value of whose taxable property is over twenty thousand dollars.

14th. All persons who have taken the oath of amnesty as prescribed in the President's proclamation of December 8, A. D. 1863, or an United States since the date of said proclamaoath of allegiance to the Government of the tion, and who thenceforward kept and maintained the same inviolate.

made to the President for pardon by any person Provided, That special application may be belonging to the excepted classes; and such clemency will be liberally extended as may be consistent with the facts of the case and the peace and dignity of the United States.

The Secretary of State will establish rules and regulations for administering and recording said amnesty oath, so as to insure its benefit to the people, and guard the Government against fraud.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, the twentyninth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, andof the Independence of the United States the eighty-ninth. ANDREW JOHNSON.

[SEAL.]

of their commissions in the army or navy of the By the President:
United States, to evade duty in resisting the
rebellion.

6th. All who have engaged in any way in treating otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war, persons found in the United States service as officers, soldiers, seamen, or in other capaci

ties.

7th. All persons who have been or are absentees from the United States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

CIRCULAR.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, May 29, 1865. SIR: A copy of the President's amnesty proclamation of this date is herewith appended. By a clause in the instrument, the Secretary of State is directed to establish rules and regulations for administering and recording the am8th. All military and naval officers, in the nesty oath, so as to insure its benefit to the peorebel service, who were educated by the Govern-ple and guard the Government against fraud. ment in the Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy.

9th. All persons who held the pretended offices

Pursuant to this injunction, you are informed that the oath prescribed in the proclamation may be taken and subscribed before any com

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

missioned officer, civil, military, or naval, in the | restore said State to its constitutional relations service of the United States, or any civil or mili- to the Federal Government, and to present such tary officer of a loyal State or Territory, who, a republican form of State government as will by the laws thereof, may be qualified for admin- entitle the State to the guarantee of the United istering oaths. All officers who receive such States therefor, and its people to protection by oaths are hereby authorized to give certified the United States against invasion, insurrection, copies thereof to the persons respectively by and domestic violence; Provided, that in any whom they were made. And such officers are election that may be hereafter held for choosing hereby required to transmit the originals of such delegates to any State convention, as aforesaid, oaths, at as early a day as may be convenient, no person shall be qualified as an elector, or to this Department, where they will be depos- shall be eligible as a member of such convention, ited, and remain in the archives of the Govern- unless he shall have previously taken the oath ment. A register thereof will be kept in the of amnesty, as set forth in the President's procDepartment, and on application, in proper cases, lamation of May 29, A. D. 1865, and is a voter certificates will be issued of such records in the qualified as prescribed by the Constitution and customary form of official certificates. laws of the State of North Carolina, in force immediately before the 20th day of May, 1861, the date of the so-called ordinance of secession; and the said convention when convened, or the Appointing William W. Holden Provisional Gov- Legislature that may be thereafter assembled, ernor of North Carolina, May 29, 1865. will prescribe the qualification of electors, and Whereas the fourth section of the fourth article the eligibility of persons to hold office under the of the Constitution of the United States declares Constitution and laws of the State, a power the that the United States shall guarantee to every people of the several States composing the FedState in the Union a republican form of goveral Union have rightfully exercised from the ernment, and shall protect each of them against invasion and domestic violence; and whereas the President of the United States is, by the Constitution, made commander-in-chief of the army and navy, as well as chief civil executive officer of the United States, and is bound by solemn oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States, and to take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and whereas the rebellion, which has been waged by a portion of the people of the United States against the properly constituted authorities of the Government thereof, in the most violent and revolting form, but whose organized and armed forces have now been almost entirely overcome, has, in its revolutionary progress, deprived the people of the State of North Carolina of all civil government; and whereas it becomes necessary and proper to carry out and enforce the obligations of the United States to the people of North Carolina, in securing them in the enjoyment of a republican form of government:

Now, therefore, in obedience to the high and solemn duties imposed upon me by the Constitution of the United States, and for the purpose of enabling the loyal people of said State to organize a State government, whereby justice may be established, domestic tranquillity insured, and loyal citizens protected in all their rights of life, liberty, and property, I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, and Commander in-Chief of the army and navy of the United States, do hereby appoint William W. Holden Provisional Governor of the State of North Carolina, whose duty it shall be, at the earliest practicable period, to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper for convening a convention, composed of delegates to be chosen by that portion of the people of said State who are loyal to the United States, and no others, for the purpose of altering or amending the constitution thereof; and with authority to exercise, within the limits of said State, all the powers necessary and proper to enable such loyal people of the State of North Carolina to

origin of the Government to the present time. And I do hereby direct:

First. That the military commander of the Department, and all officers and persons in the military and naval service aid and assist the said Provisional Governor in carrying into effect this proclamation, and they are enjoined to abstain from, in any way, hindering, impeding, or discouraging the loyal people from the organization of a State Government, as herein authorized.

Second. That the Secretary of State proceed to put in force all laws of the United States, the administration whereof belongs to the State Department, applicable to the geographical limits aforesaid.

Third. That the Secretary of the Treasury proceed to nominate for appointment assessors of taxes and collectors of customs and internal revenue, and such other officers of the Treasury Department as are authorized by law, and put in execution the revenue laws of the United States within the geographical limits aforesaid. In making appointments, the preference shall be given to qualified loyal persons residing within the districts where their respective duties are to be performed. But, if suitable residents of the districts shall not be found, then persons residing in other States or districts shall be appointed.

Fourth. That the Postmaster General proceed to establish post offices and post routes, and put into execution the postal laws of the United States within the said State, giving to loyal residents the preference of appointment; but if suitable residents are not found, then to appoint agents, &c., from other States.

Fifth. That the district judge for the judicial district in which North Carolina is included proceed to hold courts within said State, in accordance with the provisions of the act of Congress. The Attorney General will instruct the proper officers to libel, and bring to judgment, confiscation and sale, property subject to confiscation, and enforce the administration of justice within said State in all matters within the cognizance and jurisdiction of the Federal courts.

Sixth. That the Secretary of the Navy take possession of all ublic property belonging to the Navy Department, within said geographical limits, and put in operation all acts of Congress in relation to naval affairs having application to the said State.

Seventh. That the Secretary of the Interior put in force the laws relating to the Interior Department, applicable to the geographical limits aforesaid.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-
ninth day of May, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-five, and of the Independence of the
United States the eighty-ninth.
ANDREW JOHNSON.

[L. S.]

By the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. 1865, June 13—A like proclamation was issued, appointing WILLIAM L. SHARKEY, Provisional Governor of Mississippi.

otherwise for the benefit of refugees or freedmen,
or accruing from abandoned lands or property
set apart for their use, and will transfer to them
all official records connected with the adminis-
tration of affairs which pertain to said Bureau.
ANDREW JOHNSON.

By order of the Secretary of War:
E. D. TOWNSEND, Ass't Adj't General.

CIRCULAR NO. 15.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN,

AND ABANDONED LANDS, WASHINGTON, D. C., September 12, 1865. I. Circular No. 13, of July 28, 1865, from this bureau, and all portions of circulars from this bureau conflicting with the provisions of this circular, are hereby rescinded.

II. This bureau has charge of such "tracts of land within the insurrectionary States as shall have been abandoned, or to which the United States shall have acquired title by confiscation or sale, or otherwise," and no such lands now in its possession shall be surrendered to any claim

1865, June 17-JAMES JOHNSON appointed Pro-ant except as hereinafter provided.
visional Governor of Georgia.

1865, June 17-ANDREW J. HAMILTON appointed
Provisional Governor of Texas.
1865, June 21-LEWIS E. PARSONS appointed
Provisional Governor of Alabama.

1865, June 30—BENJAMIN F. PERRY appointed
Provisional Governor of South Caro-
lina.

1865, July 13-WILLIAM MARVIN appointed Provisional Governor of Florida.

Orders Respecting Freedmen.

III. Abandoned lands are defined in section 2 of the act of Congress approved July 2, 1864, as lands, "the lawful owner whereof shall be voluntarily absent therefrom, and engaged either in arms or otherwise in aiding or encouraging the rebellion."

IV. Land will not be regarded as confiscated until it has been condemned and sold by decree of the United States court for the district in which the property may be found, and the title thereto thus vested in the United States.

V. Upon its appearing satisfactorily to any assistant commissioner that any property under his control is not abandoned as above defined, and that the United States has acquired no title to it by confiscation, sale or otherwise, he will formally surrender it to the authorized claimant or claimants, promptly reporting his action to the Commissioner.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., June 2, 1865. Whereas, By an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1865, there was established in the-War Department a Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, and to which, in accordance with the said act of Congress, is committed the supervision and management of all aban- VI. Assistant commissioners will prepare accudoned lands, and the control of all subjects relat-rate descriptions of all confiscated and abandoned ing to refugees and freedmen from rebel States, lands under their control, keeping a record thereor from any district of country within the terri- of themselves, and forwarding monthly to the tory embraced in the operations of the army, Commissioner copies of these descriptions in the under such rules and regulations as may be pre- manner prescribed in circular No. 10, of July scribed by the head of the bureau, and approved 11, 1865, from this bureau. by the President; and whereas, it appears that the management of abandoned lands, and subjects relating to refugees and freedmen, as aforesaid, have been, and still are, by orders based on military exigencies, or legislation based on previous statutes, partly in the hands of military officers disconnected with said bureau, and partly in charge of officers of the Treasury Department; it is therefore Ordered, That all officers of the Treasury Department, all military officers and others in the service of the United States, turn over to the authorized officers of said bureau all abandoned lands and property contem- VII. Abandoned lands held by this bureau plated in said act of Congress, approved March may be restored to owners pardoned by the Presthird, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, estab-ident, by the assistant commissioners, to whom lishing the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, that may now be under or within their control. They will also turn over to such officers all funds collected by tax or

They will set apart so much of said lands as is necessary for the immediate use of loyal refugees and freedmen, being careful to select for this purpose those lands which most clearly fall under the control of this bureau, which selection must be submitted to the Commissioner for his approval.

The specific division of lands so set apart into lots, and the rental or sale thereof, according to section 4 of the law establishing the bureau, will be completed as soon as practicable, and reported to the Commissioner.

applications for such restoration should be forwarded, so far as practicable, through the superintendents of the districts in which the lands are situated.

Each application must be accompanied by1st. Evidence of special pardon by the President, or a copy of the oath of amnesty prescribed in the President's proclamation of May 29, 1865, when the applicant is not included in any of the classes therein excepted from the benefits of said oath.

2d. Proof of title.

Officers of the bureau through whom the application passes will indorse thereon such facts as may assist the assistant commissioner in his decision, stating especially the use made by the bureau of the land.

VIII. No land under cultivation by loyal refugees or freedmen will be restored under this circular, until the crops now growing shall be secured for the benefit of the cultivators, unless full and just compensation be made for their labor and its products, and for their expendiO. O. HOWARD, Major-General, Commissioner. ANDREW JOHNSON,

ures.

Approved:

President of the United States.

For the Return to Persons Pardoned, of their
Property.

domestic, and commercial intercourse, with certain exceptions therein specified and set forth, were removed "in such parts of the States of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and so much of Louisiana as lies east of the Mississippi river, as shall be embraced within the lines of national military occupation; **" And whereas by my proclamation of the twenty-second of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, for reasons therein given, it was declared that certain ports of the United States which had been previously closed against foreign commerce, should, with certain specified exceptions be reopened to such commerce, on and after the first day of July next, subject to the laws of the United States, and in pursuance of such regulations as might be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury;

And whereas I am satisfactorily informed, that dangerous combinations against the laws of the United States no longer exist within the State of Tennessee; that the insurrection heretofore existing within said State has been suppressed; that within the boundaries thereof the authority of the United States is undisputed; and that such officers of the United States as have been duly commissioned are in the undisturbed exercise of their official functions:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, August 16, 1865. Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, &c. The records of this office show that B. B. Leake was spe- Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew cially pardoned by the President on the 27th Johnson, President of the United States, do ultimo, and was thereby restored to all his rights hereby declare that all restrictions upon inof property, except as to slaves. Notwithstand-ternal, domestic, and coastwise intercourse and ing this, it is understood that the possession of his property is withheld from him. I have, therefore, to direct that General Fisk, assistant commissioner at Nashville, Tennessee, be instructed by the Chief Commissioner of Bureau of Freedmen, &c., to relinquish possession of the property of Mr. Leake, held by him as assistant commissioner, &c., and that the same be immediately restored to the said Leake. The same action will be had in all similar cases.*

To O. O. HOWARD,

ANDREW JOHNSON,

President United States.

Maj. General, Com'r Freedmen's Affairs.

Respecting Commercial Intercourse, and the
Suppression of the Rebellion in the State of
Tennessee, June 13, 1865.

Whereas by my proclamation of the twentyninth of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, all restrictions upon internal,

*Extract from letter of General Howard, April 23, 1866, in reply to resolution of the House of Representatives of March 5, 1866:

"In complying with these definite instructions, the bureau has been compelled to part with the greater portion of the property once under its control. Except in the very few cases where property has been actually sold under the act of July 17, 1862, and in that portion of South Carolina and Georgia embraced in the provisions of General Sherman's Field Order No. 15, its tenure of property has been too uncertain to justify allotments to freedmen. Acres.

Property seized under act of July, 1862, and re-
stored by this bureau...
Abandoned property allotted to freedmen and re-
stored by this bureau....

Abandoned property not allotted to freedmen re-
stored by this bureau..

Total.......................

15,452

trade, and upon the removal of products of States heretofore declared in insurrection, reserving and excepting only those relating to contraband of war, as hereinafter recited, and also those which relate to the reservation of the rights of the United States to property purchased in the territory of an enemy, heretofore imposed in the territory of the United States east of the Mississippi river, are annulled, and I do hereby direct that they be forthwith removed; and that on and after the first day of July next all restriction upon foreign commerce with said ports, with the exception and reservation aforesaid, be likewise removed; and that the commerce of such States shall be conducted under the supervision of the regularly appointed officers of the customs provided by law; and such officers of the customs shall receive any captured and abandoned property that may be turned over to them, under the law, by the military or naval forces of the United States, and dispose of such property as shall be directed by the Secretary of the Treasury.

The following articles contraband of war are excepted from the effect of this proclamation: arms, ammunition, all articles from which ammunition is made, and gray uniforms and cloth.

the insurrection, so far as it relates to, and And I hereby also proclaim and declare that within the State of Tennessee, and the inhabitants of the said State of Tennessee as re-organized and constituted under their recently adopted 14,652 constitution and re-organization, and accepted by them, is suppressed, and therefore, also, that 400,000 all the disabilities and disqualifications attach430,104" ing to said State and the inhabitants thereof

consequent upon any proclamations, issued by | hand and caused the seal of the United States to virtue of the fifth section of the act entitled "An be affixed.

act further to provide for the collection of duties
on imports and for other purposes," approved
the thirteenth day of July, one thousand eight [L.

hundred and sixty-one, are removed.

Done at the city of Washington this twentythird day of June, in the year of our S.] sixty-five, and of the Independence of Lord one thousand eight hundred and the United States the eighty-ninth. ANDREW JOHNSON.

W. HUNTER, Acting Secretary of State.

Further Removal of Restrictions, August 29,

But nothing herein contained shall be considered or construed as in any wise changing or impairing any of the penalties and forfeitures By the President: for treason heretofore incurred under the laws of the United States, or any of the provisions, restrictions, or disabilities set forth in my proclamation, bearing date the twenty-ninth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixtyfive, or as impairing existing regulations for the suspension of the habeas corpus, and the exercise of military law in cases where it shall be necessary for the general public safety and welfare during the existing insurrection; nor shall this proclamation affect, or in any way impair, any laws heretofore passed by Congress, and duly approved by the President, or any proclamations or orders, issued by him, during the aforesaid insurrection, abolishing slavery, or in any way affecting the relations of slavery, whether of persons or of property; but on the contrary, all such laws and proclamations heretofore made or issued are expressly saved, and declared to be in

full force and virtue.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

1865.

Whereas by my proclamations of the thirteenth and twenty-fourth of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, removing restrictions, in part, upon internal, domestic, and coastwise intercourse and trade with those States recently declared in insurrection, certain articles were excepted from the effect of said proclamations as contraband of war; and whereas the necessity for restricting trade in said articles has now, in a great ineasure, ceased: It is hereby ordered, that on and after the 1st day of September, 1865, all restrictions aforesaid be removed, so that the articles declared by the said proclamations to be contraband of war may be imported into and sold in said States, subject only to such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and [SEAL.] sixty-five, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty- [L. S.] ninth. By the President:

ANDREW JOHNSON.

Done at the city of Washington this twentyninth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the ninetieth. ANDREW JOHNSON.

WILLIAM II. SEWARD, Secretary of State. By the President:

Blockade Rescinded, June 23, 1865. Whereas by the proclamation of the President of the fifteenth and twenty-seventh of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, a blockade of certain ports of the United States was set on foot; but whereas the reasons for that measure have ceased to exist:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

United States without leave of the President. Other persons implicated in the rebellion, who may wish to go abroad, will apply to the Department of State for passports, and the applications will be disposed of according to the merits of the several cases.

Passports for Paroled Prisoners. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, August 25, 1865. Paroled prisoners asking passports as citizens of the United States, and against whom no special charges may be pending, will be furnished Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew with passports upon application therefor to the Johnson, President of the United States, do hereby Department of State in the usual form. Such declare and proclaim the blockade aforesaid to passports will, however, be issued upon the conbe rescinded as to all the ports aforesaid, includ-dition that the applicants do not return to the ing that of Galveston and other ports west of the Mississippi river, which ports will be open to foreign commerce on the first of July next, on the terms and conditions set forth in my proclamation of the twenty-second of May last. It is to be understood, however, that the blockade thus rescinded was an international measure for the purpose of protecting the sovereign rights of the United States. The greater or less subversion of civil authority in the region to which it applied, and the impracticability of at once restoring that in due efficiency, may, for a season, make it advisable to employ the army and navy of the United States towards carrying the laws into effect, wherever such employment may be necessary.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my

By the President of the United States.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

Paroling certain State Prisoners. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, October 11, 1865. Whereas the following named persons, to wit: John A. Campbell, of Alabama; John H. Reagan, of Texas; Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia; George A. Trenholm, of South Carolina; and Charles Clark, of Mississippi, lately

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