The Emancipation
Proclamation [January 1st, 1863]
"That
on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and sixty three, all persons held as slaves in any state or designated part of
a state, the people whereof should be in rebellion against the United States,
shall be then, henceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of
the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will
recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts
to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their
actual freedom."
"Now,
therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the
power in me vested as commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the united
States, in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government
of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said
rebellion . . ."
"And I
further declare and make known that such persons, of suitable condition, will
be received into the arm service of the United States to garrison forts,
positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said
service . . ."
"And upon
this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the
constitution upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of
mankind and the gracious favor of Almighty God.”