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A proclamation, by John W. Ellis

About this photograph

From the Library of Congress's Printed Ephemera Collection; Portfolio 135, Folder 12.

Date created
April 17, 1861
License
This work is believed to be in the public domain. Users are advised to make their own copyright assessment and to understand their rights to fair use.
Source
Original image housed by Printed Ephemera Collection, Library of Congress

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  • American Memory: North Carolina educator's guide: Each month during 2007, LEARN NC will feature an in-depth look at one aspect of the Library of Congress' American Memory with a special focus on North Carolina materials. (Page 7)
  • Collection Connections: In this installment of the American Memory Guide, learn to find teaching resources associated with the Library of Congress's primary source collections.

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a proclamation printed in 1861

Sizes available: 1627×3498 | 121×260

This proclamation was printed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1861:

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION,
BY JOHN W. ELLIS
GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA
WHEREAS: By Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, followed by a requistion of Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, I am informed that the said Abraham Lincoln has made a call for 75,000 men to be employed for the invasion of the peaceful homes of the South, and for the violent subversion of the liberties of a free people, constituting a large part of the whole population of the late United States: And, whereas, this high-handed act of tyrannical outrage is not only in violation of all constitutional law, in utter disregard of every sentiment of humanity and Christian civilization, and conceived in a spirit of aggression unparalleled by any act of recorded history, but is a direct step towards the subjugation of the whole South, and the conversion of a free Republic, inherited from our fathers, into a military despotism, to be established by worse than foreign enemies on the ruins of our once glorious Constitution of Equal Rights.

Now, therefore, I, John W. Ellis, Governor of the State of North-Carolina, for these extraordinary causes, do hereby issue this, my Proclamation, notifying and requesting the Senators and Members of the House of Commons of the General Assembly of North-Carolina, to meet in Special Session at the Capitol, in the City of Raleigh, on Wednesday, the first day of May next. And I furthermore exhort all good citizens throughout the State to be mindful that their first allegiance is due to the Sovereignty which protects their homes and dearest interests, as their first sevice is due for the sacred defence of their hearths, and of the soil which holds the graves of our glorious dead.

United action in defence of the sovereignty of North-Carolina and of the rights of the South, becomes now the duty of all.

Fiven under my hand, and attested by the Great Seal of the State. Done at the city of Raleigh, the 17th Day of April, A. D., 1861, and in the eight-fifth year of our independence.

JOHN W. ELLIS

By the Governor,
GRAHAM DAVID, Private Secretary.