[Rescinding the blockade as to all ports of the United States,
including that of Galveston.—June 23, 1865.]
By the President of the United States
of America.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, by the proclamation of the President of the nineteenth and
twenty-seventh of April, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, a blockade
of certain ports of the United States was set on foot; but, whereas
the reasons for that measure have ceased to exist:
Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew
Johnson, President of the United States, do hereby declare
and proclaim the blockade aforesaid to be rescinded as to all the
ports aforesaid, including that of Galveston and other ports west of
the Mississippi river, which ports will be open to foreign commerce
on the first of July next, on the terms and conditions set forth in
my proclamation of the twenty-second of May last.
It is to be understood, however, that the blockade thus rescinded was
an international measure for the purpose of protecting the sovereign
rights of the United States. The greater or less subversion of civil
authority in the region to which it applied, and the
impracticability of at once restoring that in due efficiency, may,
for a season, make it advisable to employ the army and navy of the
United States towards carrying the laws into effect wherever such
employment may be necessary.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of
Washington, this
twenty-third day of June, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of the
independence of the United States of America the
eighty-ninth.[seal]
ANDREW JOHNSON.
By the President:
W. Hunter, Acting
Secretary of State.
