LAD #16: The Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was written by Abraham Lincoln. It was a declaration saying in which states slaves were free. Lincoln stated that the “Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons.” This meant that the government recognized the freedom of these slaves and that they would not do anything to repress this freedom. He stated that “Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the Parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New Orleans) Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth[)], and which excepted parts, are for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.” He then goes on to say that slaves should not use violence unless it is self-defense. Finally, he states that the act is an act of justice and states that this act will finally affix the country.