President's Message. ecutive in any reasonable temporary State arrangement for the freed people, is made with the view of possibly modifying the confusion and destitution which must at best attend all classes by a total revolution of labor throughout whole States. It is hoped that the already deeply afflicted people in those States may be somewhat more ready to give up the cause of their affliction, if, to this extent, this vital matter be left to themselves, while no power of the National Executive to prevent an abuse is abridged by the proposition. | power will not again overrun them. Until that confidence shall be established, little can be done anywhere for what is called reconstruction. Hence our chiefest care must still be directed to the army and navy, who have thus far borne their harder part so nobly and well. And it may be esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest efficiency to these indispensable arms, we do also honorably recognize the gallant men, from commander to sentinel, who compose them, and to whom, more than to others, the world must stand indebted for the home of freedom, disenthralled, regenerated, enlarged and perpetuated." The Amnesty Proclamation referred to was as follows: 64 The Amnesty Proclamation. Whereas, In and by the Constitution of the United States, it is provided that the President shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment-and, whereas, a rebellion now ex The suggestion in the proclamation as to maintaining the political frame work of the States on what is called reconstruction, is made in the hope that it may do good, without danger of harm. It will save labor, and avoid great confusion. But why any proclamation now upon this subject? This question is beset with the conflicting views that the step might be delayed too long, or be taken too soon. In some States the elements for resumption seem ready for action but remain inactive, apparent-ists, whereby the loyal State Governments of several ly for want of a rallying point-a plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plan of B, rather than B that of A? And if A and B should agree, how can they know but that the General Government here will States have for a long time been subverted, and many persons have committed and are now guilty of treason against the United States; and "Whereas, With reference to said rebellion and treason, laws have been enacted by Congress, de reject their plan? By the proclamation a plan is presented which may be accepted by them as a ral-claring forfeitures and confiscation of property and lying point--and which they are assured in advance will not be rejected here. This may bring them to act sooner than they otherwise would. "The objection to a premature presentation of a plan by the National Executive consists in the dan ger of committals on points which could be more safely left to further developments. Care has been taken to so shape the document as to avoid embarrassments from this source. Saying that on certain terms certain classes will be pardoned with rights restored, it is not said that other classes or other terms will never be included. Saying that reconstruction will be accepted if presented in a specified way, it is not said it will never be accepted in any other way. The movements by State action for emancipation in several of the States not included in the Emancipation Proclamation are matters of profound gratulation. And while I do not repeat in detail what I have heretofore so earnestly urged upon this subject, my general views and feelings remain unchanged; and I trust that Congress will omit no fair opportunity of aiding these important steps to the great consummation. liberation of slaves, all upon terms and conditions therein stated, and also declaring that the President was thereby authorized at any time thereafter, by proclamation, to extend to persons who may have participated in the existing rebellion in any State or part thereof, pardon and amnesty, with such excep tions and at such times and on such conditions as he may deem expedient for the public welfare; and "Whereas, The Congressional declaration for limited and conditional pardon accords with the wellestablished judicial exposition of the pardoning power; and "Whereas, With reference to the said rebellion, the President of the United States has issued several proclamations with provisions in regard to the liberation of slaves; and 44 Whereas, It is now desired by some persons heretofore engaged in said rebellion to resume their allegiance to the United States, and to re-inaugurate loyal State Governments within and for their respective States; therefore "I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do proclaim, declare and make known to all persons who have directly or by implication parti "In the midst of other cares, however important, we must not lose sight of the fact that the war pow-cipated in the existing rebellion, except as hereiner is still our main reliance. To that power alone can we look for a time, to give confidence to the people in the contested regions, that the insurgent after excepted, that a full pardon is hereby granted to them and each of them, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves, and in The Amnesty Procla mation. THE AMNESTY PROCLAMATION. property cases where rights of third parties shall have intervened, and upon the condition that every such person shall take and subscribe an oath, and thenceforward keep and maintain said oath inviolate, an oath which shall be registered for permanent preservation, and shall be of the tenor and effect following, to wit: -1 do solemnly swear, 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 man. ner abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far as not repealed, modified or held void by Congress or by decision of the Supreme Court; and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all proclamations of the President made during the existing rebellion, having reference to slaves, so long and so far as not modified or declared void by decision of the Supreme Court. So help me God.' "The persons excepted from the benefits of the foregoing provisions are: All who are, or shall have been civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the socalled Confederate Government; all who have left judicial stations under the United States to aid the rebellion; all who are, or shall have been military or naval officers of said so-called Confederate Government, above the rank of Colonel in the army, or of Lieutenant in the navy; all who have left seats in the United States Congress to aid the rebellion; all who resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United States, and afterwards aided the rebellion; and all who have engaged in any way in treating colored persons, or white persons in charge of such, otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war, and which persons may have been found in the United States service as soldiers, seamen or any other capacity; and I do further proclaim, declare and make known that, whenever, in any of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee Alabama, Georgia. Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina, a number of persons not less than one-tenth in number of the votes cast in such States at the Presidential election of the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, each having taken the oath aforesaid, and not having since violated it, and being a qualified voter by the election law of the State existing immediately before the so-called act of Secession, and excluding all others, shall re-establish a State Government which shall be republican, and in no wise contravening said oath, such shall be recognized as the true gov ernment of the State, and the State shall receive thereunder the benefits of the constitutional provision, which declares that "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and on application of the 225 Legislature, or the Executive, when the Legislature cannot be convened, against domestic violence.' "And I do further proclaim, declare and make known, that any provision which may be adopted by such State Government in relation to the freed people of such State, which shall recognize and declare their permanent freedom, provide for their education, and which may yet be consistent, as a temporary arrangement, with their present condition as a laboring, landless and homeless class, will not be objected to by the National Executive. "And it is suggested as not improper that, in constructing a loyal State Government in any State, the name of the State, the boundary, the subdivisions, the Constitution, and the general code of laws, as before the rebellion, be maintained, subject only to the modifications made necessary by the conditions herein before stated, and such others, if any, not contravening said conditions, and which may be deemed expedient by those framing the new State Government. To avoid misunderstanding, it may be proper to say that this proclamation, so far as it relates to State Governments, has no reference to States wherein loyal State Governments have all the while been maintained; and for the same reason it may be proper to further say, that whether members sent to Congress from any State shall be admitted to seats, constitutionally rests exclusively with the respective Houses, and not to any extent with the Executive. And still further, that this proclamation is intended to present the people of the States wherein the National authority has been suspended, and loyal State Governments have been subverted, a mode in and by which the National authority and loyal State Governments may be re-established within said States, or in any of them. And, while the mode presented is the best the Executive can suggest with his present impressions, it must not be understood that no other possible mode would be acceptable," This proclamation was the first step toward reconstruction. Mr. Lincoln's stand point being that a State could not be taken out of the Union,* any number of loyal men were competent to act as, and for, the State. The one-tenth named-though a small proportion of the actual inhabitants of the State, was, under the President's view, quite enough for the object to be attained-to revive the abandoned State fealty and relations. It was, as the Executive confessed, but an experiment, made to open the way for reunion, and can hardly be treated other than as a mere temporary means to an end which none * See his Inaugural Message, Vol. II., pages 6-9. The Amnesty Proclamation. could then determine with certainty how to re.ch. The Message, by reiterating the policy of Emancipation, forestalled slavery in reconstruction. This, in effect, pronounced reunion with slavery impossible, although, up to that time, the prohibition of slavery had not been suggested other than as a war expedient, leaving to Congress and the States the duty of giving or refusing the institution a recognition in the restored Union. | The amnesty tender, therefore, with the provisos deemed requisite to save it from abuse, was extremely offensive to the enemy: the way to peace being through an iron-clad oath,' and a humiliating abjuration of their property in slaves, caused such an outburst in the South, of commingled scorn and rage, as had not been witnessed since the promulgation of the Emancipation edict. Very few, indeed, had the courage to brave that storm and accept the proffered terms. All that was accomplished by the proclamation was to prove how futile for reconstruction and peace were all statesmen's expedients. The steel alone thenc forth was sole arbiter, as Davis declared in his communication to the Confederate legislatures. Day of Thanks. In view of victories won, and the country's prosperity, the President ordered a day of thanksgiving and prayer, in the following most beautiful and reverent terms: "The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the everwatchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to invite and provoke the aggressions of foreign States, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintaintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theatre of military conflict, while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. The needful diversion of wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle or the ship. The ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect a continuance of years with large increase of freedom. mortal hand worked out these great things. They "No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless, remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully ac knowledged as with one heart and voice, by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to our beneficent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience commend to their tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and union." A cause fostered with such spirit could fail only through the unworthiness of those to whom the order was directed. HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS,-No. 13, FROM JANUARY 1ST TO JULY 1ST, 1864. JANUARY. 1. Seizure in New York of plates and dies for Confederate notes and bonds. Arrest of thecontractor."-Emancipation jubilee of blacks in Norfolk and elsewhere. Departure of reconnoissance toward Front Royal, Va.— Federal cavalry (75) under Major Cole, are nearly all killed or captured by Rosser's cavalry, near Harper's Ferry, after desperate fight. Andrew J. Hamilton, appointed "Military Governor" of Texas, issues a very able address to citizens of that State. 2. More seizures in New York of Confederate printing plates. 3. General Sam. Jones, rebel, commanding in East Tennessee, surrounds Union regiment and two guns, at Jonesville, in Southeastern Virginia. After an all day's fight Federals surrender, having lost 30 killed.-Admiral Lee tries to destroy the beached blockade. runner Bendigo. at Folly inlet, N. C.--Gunboat Huron chases ashore ship Sylvanus, at Duboy Sound, S. C.-Si:ells filled with "Greek fire" thrown into Charleston by Gilmore's batteries. 4. Return to Army of Potomac of Taylor's cavalry expedition from reconnoitre to Front Royal, Va 5. Rebel cavalry surprise and capture Federal picket at Eldorado, Va. 6. Major-General Foster, late in command in N. Carolina, placed in command in East Tennessee, orders all able-bodied negroes to be enrolled, and assigns General O. B. Wilcox to district of Clinch.- Skirmish at Newtown, West Va. 7. Union forces occupy Madisonville, La. Charleston again shelled with "Greek fire" shells.--Gunboat Kennebec, off Mobile, captures schooner John Scott. 8. Rebel spy, Dodd, executed at Little Rock, Ark. Fast steam blockade-runner Dove run ashore by Admiral Lee's gunboats, off Wilmington, N. C. The Dove was the twentieth steamer destroyed or captured by Lee's squadron from July 1st, 1863.-Petersburg, West Va., surrounded by enemy. 9. Guerilla McCoun captured near Sperrysville, Va.-Spirited fight at Mobile Bay, between rebel fortification, fort Morgan, and the fleet. -Rebel cavalry enter Cleveland, East Tenn., and conscript every able-bodied man. JANUARY. 10. Battle of Strawberry Plains, East Tenn. Rebels repulsed with much loss.-Mosby repulsed in an attack on Major Coles' camp, at Loudon Heights, Va.-Gunboat Roebuck captures sloop Maria Louisa, off coast of Florida. 11. Gunboat Roebuck captures schooner Susan, and steamer Honeysuckle captures schooner Fly, off Florida coast.--Blockade-runners Ranger and Vesta beached and burned in Folly inlet, N. C-Steamer Iron Age destroyed, by rebel battery, off Cape Fear river. 12. Fight at Mossy creek, Tenn. McCook's cavalry defeats two Texas regiments.-Expedi tion from Point Lookout through adjacent counties destroys much rebel property and returns on the 14th. 13. Federal schooner Two Sisters captures blockade-runner William, in Suwanee river. 14. Attack on Federal pickets at Three-mile station, Va.--Rebel raid, under General Vance, captures 23 Union wagons, near Terrisville, Tenn.; is pursued by Colonel Palmer, wag. ons recaptured and Vance and his staff taken prisoners, and much property secured.Blockade steamer Mayflower captured off Florida coast.-Rebel cavalry attack at Bealton, Va., repulsed. General Sturgis' cavalry, in pursuit of Longstreet, reaches Dandridge Tenn. 1 Enemy furiously assault General Sturgis at Dandridge, Tenn.; are repulsed, losing heavily. 18 Small rebel force attack pickets at Flint Hill, Va.-Conscription law produces great excitement in North Carolina.-Newmarket, Tenn., occupied by Longstreet's forces.--Gunboat Stars and Stripes captures British steamer Laura, off Florida. 19. Union scouts return to,Rossville, Ark., having captured records of Vernon and Cedar counties, Mo.-Colonel Clayton routes enemy near Pine Bluff, Ark.-Sale of Confiscated estates at Beaufort, S. C.-Attempt to burn Jeff. Davis' house at Richmond, Va.-Sturgis' forces fall back to Knoxville, Tenn. 20. Correspondence showing operations of southern agents at the North made public.-Thirtytwo guerrillas captured near Paris, Ky.General Woodbury goes on expedition to JANUARY. Ponta Rosa, Fla.. to cut off rebel cattle supplies. 21. Advance of Union cavalry retreating from Strawberry Plains, Tenn., reach Sevierville. -Extensive conflagration of hospital buildings at camp Winder, Richmond, Va. 22. Skirmish at Armstrong's ferry, Tenn. 23. Union cavalry capture 27 wagons loaded with flour and bacon, and 85 prisoners, in Cooke county, Tenn.-Restrictions on trade with Missouri and Kentucky annulled.- Rebel cav. alry General Adams, took 35 prisoners, wag. ons, cotton, etc., at Gelsertown, Miss.- Union foray at Brandon farms, Va.-Rebel cavalry threaten Natchez, Miss.-Union raid to Lake Phelps, N. C.; capture guerrillas, negroes, cotton, etc. 24. Cavalry detachment from Fort Smith, Ark, make successful scout into Polk county.Rhoddy driven across Tennessee river, losing trains, cattle and supplies. 25. Union garrison near Athens, Ala., attacked by force 600 strong; enemy defeated.-General Graham, with 3 transports, landing at Brandon farms, Va., captures 22 prisoners, destroys grain, tobacco, etc., and returns without loss, -Corinth, Miss., evacuated by Federal forces. -Major Burroughs, guerrilla, attempting to escape from Fortress Monroe, shot by guard. 26. Expedition sent by General Palmer destroys large quantities of pork, corn and tobacco, in Onslow county, N. C.- Rebel cavalry capture 14 men of Eightieth Indiana regiment, near Knoxville, Tenn.-Athens, Tenn., taken by Rhoddy.-Johnston's brigade of Rhoddy's force repulsed at Alton, Tenn. 27. Guerrillas attack Orange and Alexandria railroad.-General Sturgis' cavalry defeat enemy near Sevierville, Tenn.-Gen. Palmer makes reconnoissance to Tunnel Hill, Ga.; drives in enemy's pickets and captures company of cavalry.-Camps of Thirteenth Kentucky and Seventy-third Michigan, near Knoxville, Tenn., surprised by enemy, who are routed by relief coming up 28. Colonel Phillips drives Rhoddy south of Tennessee river, and captures all his trains.-Enemy destroys two forage wagons near Pulaski, Tenn., and carry off men accompanying them. -U. S. steamer Metropolis captures British steamer Roseta. off S. Carolina. 29. Sturgis drives rebel videttes from Danville, Tenn. Cavalry skirmish near Cumberland Gap, Tenn., with rebels under General Jones; enemy repulsed.--Bridges and material destroyed at Windsor, N. C. 30. Union supply train captured near Petersburg, West Va; Union loss 80, enemy's 100. General Rosecrans issues address from headquarters at St. Louis, Mo. 31. Governor Gamble dies at St. Louis, Mo.-Expedition up James river to Smithfield, to destroy provisions, etc.-Hood's army retires from Dalton, Ga.--Rebels attempt to take Cumberland Gap; repulsed. FEBRUARY. FEBRUARY. ade-runner Wild Dayrell chased ashore and burned by gunboat Sassacus, near Stump inlet, N. C. 2. Steamer Underwriter surprised and destroyed by rebels, in Neuse river, N. C.-General Scammon and staff captured on steamer Levi. -One hundred and twenty-nine deserters from Johnston's army take oath of allegiance at Chattanooga.-Union re-enforcements arrive at Newbern, N. C., and drive enemy back to Kinston.- British steamer Presto driven ashore and burned near Charleston, S. C. 3. Smith's cavalry expedition leaves Corinth for interior of Mississippi and Alabama.-Sherman, with 16th and 17th Corps, leaves Vicksburg, Miss., upon expedition through Mississippi. Union guard at Patterson creek bridge, Va., attacked by 500 rebel cavalry and captured. The next day rebels attacked by Averill, and prisoners retaken.-Expedition leaves Newport, Va., for White creek river, on reconnoissance. 4. Early's cavalry driven out of Moorfield, Va., and hotly pursued by Mulligan's troopers.-British steamer Westfield chased ashore and destroyed near New river inlet, N. C., by U. S. steamer Sassacus.-Winslow's cavalry capture prisoners and one gun, at Canton, Miss. -Rebel battery at Clinton, Miss., driven off with loss. 5. Major Davis, with Fourteenth Illinois cavalry, make a successful raid from Knoxville, Tenn., into North Carolina; surprise Thomas' Indian legion, and capture 50.-Scouting party from Cape Girardeau, Mo., scatter a large band of guerrillas and capture Bolin, their chief. Late at night Bolin is forcibly taken from guardhouse and hung.-Early retreats toward Shenandoah valley, pursued by General Kelley.— Sherman's expedition attacked on Yazoo; enemy routed.-Expedition returns to Newport, Va., from raid to White river, having captured squad of cavalry and quantity of corn, without losing a man.-Steamer Emma fired into below Helena, Ark.-Expedition under General Seymour leaves Port Royal for Jacksonville, Fla. 6. Butler's forces march from Yorktown to Bottom's bridge, Va.-English steamer Dee discovered ashore off N. C. Unable to get her off, the gunboat Cambridge destroys her.Sherman's forces enter Jackson, Miss., with little opposition.-Union force enters Windsor, N. C., and destroys salt and meat.-Reconnoissance in force by the Army of the Potomac toward Orange Court-house, Va.; seize enemy's rifle-pits, which are temporarily held, the main body recrossing the Rapidan.-Detachment of Seventh Indiana enters Bolivar, Tenn. supposing it occupied by Union troops. Finding the place in possession of rebels, drew them out, capturing about thirty. 7. Great excitement in Richmond, on account of the approach of General Butler's forces.-— Fight at Vidalia, La.-Expedition from Knoxville, Tenn. returns, having surprised body of rebels, killed and wounded 215, taken 50 prisoners, and dispersed the rest. |