Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863

 

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It was on this day, January 1, 1863, that President Lincoln stated," Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtual 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, do, on this first day of January 1, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States."

"And by virtual of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designates States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and navel authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons."

Emancipation Proclamation