BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, in the emergency which was supposed to exist during the past week, arising from information that an invasion of the rivers of the State was about to be made, and the movements of the vessels of the United States with troops into the waters of this Commonwealth, and the unusual destruction of public property by the agents of the Government, both at Harper’s Ferry and at the Gosport Navy-Yard, gave ample reason for such belief; and whereas, under such circumstances, sundry vessels in the waters of the James River, and the Rappahannock, York, and Potomac Rivers, and their tributaries, have been seized and detained by the authorities of the State, or officers acting under patriotic motives without authority, and it is proper that such vessels and property should be promptly restored to the masters in command, or to the owners thereof:
Therefore,
I, John Letcher, Governor of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim that all private vessels and property so seized or detained, with the exception of the steamers Jamestown and Yorktown, shall be released and delivered up to the said masters or owners. Proper officers of the State Navy have been assigned to each of the rivers herein mentioned, with orders to release such vessels and property, and give certificates for damages incurred by the seizure and detention.
I felt it my duty, furthermore, to advice the people of the Commonwealth (not in the military service of the State) to return to their usual avocations, in connection with the trade and commerce of the country, assuring them protection and defense. If war is to be inaugurated by an attempt to invade this Commonwealth, or to use coercion against the Southern Confederated States–a contingency dependent on the action of the Government of the United States–it shall be met and conducted by this Commonwealth upon principles worthy of civilized nations and of this enlightened age. I appeal to all our people not to interfere with peaceable, unoffending citizens, or others, who preserve the peace and conform to our laws; and I do hereby especially discountenance all acts of seizure of private property without authority of law, and require that order shall be restored, and that all the laws be administered and executed by the tribunals especially assigned for the purpose.
Given under my hand as Governor, and under the seal of the Commonwealth, at Richmond, 24th April, 1861, and in the 85th year of the Commonwealth.
JOHN LETCHER.
By the Governor:
GEORGE W. MUNFORD,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The following officers of the State Navy are assigned to the duties required by this Proclamation;
For James River–Capt. Cocke and Commander Tucker.
For Potomac River–Capt. Forrest and Lieut. Semmes.
For Rappahannock River–Lieut. Lewis.
For York River–Commander J.L. Henderson and Lieut. J.S. Maury.
ap 25–d&g3t
Sources
Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA) 27 April 1861.
Spirit of '61 