Andrew Johnson to By the President: W. Hunter, June 23, 1865

[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that I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do hereby declare and proclaim the blockade aforesaid to be rescinded as to all the ports aforesaid, including that of Galveston and other ports west of the Mississippi river, which ports will be open to foreign commerce on the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It is to be understood, however, that the blockade thus rescinded was an international measure for the purpose of protecting the sovereign rights of the United States.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.