Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 13.djvu/794

 766 APPENDIX. to the pecjple offthe State of Texas, in securing them in the enjoyment of a reublican orm o vernment: Provisional P Now, thereforefiin obedience to the high and solemn duties imposed upon me g¤Y¢1‘¤01‘ ¤p- by the Constitution of the United States, and for the purpose of enabling the {.******;***1 f°' loyal people of said state to organize a state government, whereby justice may °x”' be established, domestic tranquillity insured, and loyal citizens protected in al their rights of life, liberty, and property, I, Arznnsw Jouxsox, President of the United States, and commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, do hereby a point Andrew J. Hamilton, of Texas, provisional governor His duty and of the State of 'llexas, whose duty it shall be, at the earliest practicable ¤¤l¤h°1'l¥.Y- 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 puqpse 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 Texas to restore said state to its constitutional relations to the federal government, and to present such a republican form of state government as will entitle the state to the uarantee of the United States therefor, and its people to protection by the Quaymcmon Dnited States against invasion, insurrection, and domestic violence; Provided of electors, and that, in any election that may be hereafter held for choosing delegates to any for membership state convention as aforesaid, no person shall be qualined as an elector, or shall °f the °°‘“'°”‘ be eligible as a member of such convention, unless he shall have previously mn' taken and subscribed the oath of amnesty, as set forth in the President'; Proclamation of May 29, A. D. 1865, and is a voter qualified as prescribed by the constitution and laws of the State of Texas in force immediately before the first [Ist] day of February, A. D. 1861, the date of the so-called ordinance of seces- Convention, sion ; and the said convention, when convened, or the legislature that may be &¢·, }<> x>¤‘€S¢rib¤ thereafter assembled, will rescribe the qualification of electors, and the eligiq““hH°‘m°“· bility of persons to hold ohice under the constitution and laws of the state,- a power the people of the several states composing the Federal Union have rig tfully exercised from the origin of the government to the present time. And I do hereb direct, — All the depart;. First. That theymilitary commander of the department, and all officers and ments ¤f the persons in the military and naval service, aid and assist the said provisional gov- Unmd S*"·*°S ernor in carrying into effect this Proclamation, and they are enjoined to abstain §£;g:u;°::;;° from, in any way, hindering, impeding, or discouraging the loyal people from mug g0v,·,m0r_ 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 Statesil the adnnigistflapion whfereof gelongs to the State Department, a licable to the neo ap ic imits aoresai . plThird. That this Séilcretary 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 min execution the revenue laws of the United States within the geographical ' 'ts 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 estahlish post-offices and post-routes, and put intoexecution the postal laws of the United States within the said state, giving to loyal residents the preference of appointment; but if suitableresidents are not found, then to appoint agents, &c., from other states. Fgfih. That the district judge for the judicial district in which Texas 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 jud ment, confiscation, and sale, property subject to condscation, and enforce the ailministration 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 public property belonging to the Navy Department within said geographical limits, and put in olperatipn all acts of congress in relation to naval affairs having application to t e 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 seal of the United States to be ailixed.