APPENDIX. 735 themselves accordingly, and in conformity with the constitution of the United States and the laws of congress in such case made and provided. In testimony_whereofQ I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed, this fifteenth day of September, in [L. sr] the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of lthle Independence of the United States of America the eighty- eig t . ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. No. 8. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; Sept. 24, 1863; A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, in my proclamation of the twenty-seventh of April, 1861, the ports preamble, of the States of Virginia and North Carolina were, for reasons therein set forth, placed under blockade; and whereas the port of Alexandria, Virginia, has since been blockaded, but as the blockade of said port may now be safely relaxed with advantage to the interests of commerce: _ Now, therefore, be it known that I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the _ C°mm°Y°ml United States, pursuant to the authority in me vested by the fifth section of the Klfggzlgfiwgl act of congress, approved on the 13th of July, 1861, entitled “An act further to mmm Subjgct, provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for other urposes," do hereby &c. 7 declare that the blockade of the said port of Alexandria shall so far cease and 1861 eh_ 3 § 5_ determine, from and after this date, that commercial intercourse with said port, V()],,Xii, pj 257, except as to persons, things, and information pontraband of war, may from this date be carried on, subject to the laws of the United States, and to the limitations and in pursuance of the regulations which are prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury in his order which is appended to my proclamation of the 12th of May, 1862. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be athxed. Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-fourth day of September, in [L. s.] the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEW.ARD, Secretary of Stale. No. 9. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Oct. 3, 1863. A PROCLAMATION. THE year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings Day Onbaukg of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly giving and praise enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others set apart. have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail —— to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the everwatchful providence of Almighty God. ’ In the midst of a civil war of u-nequalled magnitude and severity, which has [ sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and provoke their aggressions, . peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws g have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere,
