Oct. 17, 1876.

Preamble.

Turbulent and

disorderly persuti commanded to dis

in South Carolina

perse.

No. 8.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas it has been satisfactorily shown to me that insurrection and domestic violence exist in several counties of the State of South Carolina, and that certain combinations of men against law exist in many counties of said State known as "Rifle Clubs," who ride up and down by day and night in arms, murdering some peaceable citizens and intimidating others, which combinations, though forbidden by the laws of the State, cannot be controlled or suppressed by the ordinary course of justice;

And whereas it is provided in the Constitution of the United States that the United States shall protect every State in this Union, on application of the Legislature, or of the Executive when the Legisla ture cannot be convened, against domestic violence;

And whereas by laws in pursuance of the above it is provided (in the laws of the United States) that, in all cases of insurrection in any State (or of obstruction to the laws thereof,) it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, on application of the Legislature of such State, or of the Executive when the Legislature cannot be convened, to call forth the militia of any other State or States, or to employ such part of the land and naval forces as shall be judged necessary for the purpose of suppressing such insurrection or causing the laws to be duly executed;

And whereas the Legislature of said State is not now in session and cannot be convened in time to meet the present emergency, and the Executive of said State, under section 4 of Article IV of the Constitu tion of the United States and the laws passed in pursuance thereof, has therefore made due application to me in the premises for such part of the military force of the United States as may be necessary and adequate to protect said State and the citizens thereof against domestic.violence, and to enforce the due execution of the laws;

And whereas it is required that, whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the President, to use the military force for the purpose aforesaid, he shall forthwith, by proclamation, command such insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective homes within a limited time:

Now, therefore, I, ULYSSES S. GRANT, President of the United States, do hereby make proclamation, and command all persons engaged in said unlawful and insurrectionary proceedings to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within three days from this date, and hereafter abandon said combinations and submit themselves to the laws and constituted authorities of said State.

And I invoke the aid and co-operation of all good citizens thereof to uphold the laws and preserve the public peace.

In witness 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 seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seventy-six, and of [SEAL.] the Independence of the United States one hundred and one. U. S. GRANT.

By the President:

JOHN L. CADWALADER,

Acting Secretary of State.

No. 9.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION.

Oct. 26, 1876.

From year to year we have been accustomed to pause in our daily Preamble. pursuits, and set apart a time to offer our thanks to Almighty God for the special blessings He has vouchsafed to us, with our prayers for a continuance thereof.

We have at this time equal reason to be thankful for His continued protection, and for the many material blessings which His bounty has bestowed. In addition to these favors accorded to us as individuals, we have especial occasion to express our hearty thanks to Almighty God that by His providence and guidance our Government, established a century ago, has been enabled to fulfil the purpose of its founders in offering an asylum to the people of every race, securing civil and religious liberty to all within its borders, and meting out to every individual alike jus tice and equality before the law.

It is moreover especially our duty to offer our humble prayers to the Father of all mercies for a continuance of His Divine favor to us as a nation and as individuals.

By reason of all these considerations, I, ULYSSES S. GRANT, President of the United States, do recommend to the people of the United States to devote the 30th day of November next, to the expression of their thanks and prayers to Almighty God, and, laying aside their daily avocations and all secular occupations, to assemble in their respective places of worship, and observe such day as a day of Thanksgiving and rest. In witness 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-sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy[SEAL.] six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and first.

By the President:

HAMILTON FISH,

Secretary of State.

U. S. GRANT.

November 30,

1876, set for a day of thanksgiving.

No. 10.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

March 2, 1877.

Whereas objects of interest to the United States require that the Preamble. Senate should be convened at twelve o'clock on the fifth day of March

instant, to receive and act upon such communications as may be made

to it on the part of the Executive:

Now, therefore, I, ULYSSES S. GRANT, President of the United States, Special session have considered it to be my duty to issue this my proclamation, declar- of Senate. ing that an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States to convene for the transaction of business, at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the fifth day of March next, at twelve o'clock at noon on that day, of which all who shall at that time be entitled to act as members of that body are hereby required to take notice. Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, the second day of March, in the year of our Lord one thou[SEAL.] sand eight hundred and seventy-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and first. U. S. GRANT.

By the President:

HAMILTON FISH,

Secretary of State.