MAY 29, 1865:
As part of his Reconstruction plan, President
Andrew Johnson grants a blanket amnesty to all Confederates (with certain noted
exceptions). His Amnesty also restores most Confederate property rights (except
slaves); freedmen who have been settled on expropriated lands are
unceremoniously thrown off their new lands, and are left to fend for
themselves.
In
one regard, the Amnesty is a wise decision. It allows the vast majority of
former Rebels to reintegrate themselves into the United States body politic
without difficulty or fear of reprisal. Confederates who refuse the Amnesty are
branded as criminals, and are treated as such.
Tens
of thousands of Confederates who have lived in fear of retaliation begin
emerging from the hills and dales, the woods and plains, the backcountry and
from seedy neighborhoods to take their Amnesties. This process goes on for many
months.
Unwisely,
however, it also allows them to reassert their prewar authority over the
southern States virtually unhindered by Federal control. This includes the
virtual exclusion of Freedmen from any kind of meaningful civic participation.
Johnson’s
kowtow to the South enrages the Radical Republicans in Congress, who begin to
work against him. It also splits his Cabinet and cripples his Presidency badly.
Proclamation 134 –
Granting Amnesty to
Participants in the Rebellion, with Certain Exceptions
May 29, 1865
By the President of the
United States of America
A Proclamation
Whereas the President of
the United States, on the 8th day of December, A. D. 1863, and on the 26th day
of March, A. D. 1864, did, with the object to suppress the existing rebellion,
to induce all persons to return to their loyalty, and to restore the authority
of the United States, issue proclamations offering amnesty and pardon to
certain persons who had, directly or by implication, participated in the said
rebellion; and
Whereas many persons who
had so engaged in said rebellion have, since the 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:
First. All who are or
shall have been pretended civil or diplomatic officers or otherwise domestic or
foreign agents of the pretended Confederate government.
Second. All who left
judicial stations under the United States to aid the rebellion.
Third. 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.
Fourth. All who left
seats in the Congress of the United States to aid the rebellion.
Fifth. All who resigned
or tendered resignations of their commissions in the Army or Navy of the United
States to evade duty in resisting the rebellion.
Sixth. 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 capacities.
Seventh. All persons who
have been or are absentees from the United States for the purpose of aiding the
rebellion.
Eighth. All military and
naval officers in the rebel service who were educated by the Government in the
Military Academy at West Point or the United States Naval Academy.
Ninth. All persons who
held the pretended offices of governors of States in insurrection against the
United States.
Tenth. 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.
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 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 offenses of
any kind, either before or after conviction.
Thirteenth. All persons
who have voluntarily participated in said rebellion and the estimated value of
whose taxable property is over $20,000.
Fourteenth. All persons
who have taken the oath of amnesty as prescribed in the President's
proclamation of December 8, A. D. 1863, or an oath of allegiance to the
Government of the United States since the date of said proclamation and who
have not thenceforward kept and maintained the same inviolate.
Provided, That special
application may be made to the President for pardon by any person 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 the 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 29th day of May, A. D. 1865, and of the Independence of the
United States the eighty-ninth.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
Secretary of State.
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