The President's Proclamation

On July 18, 1877, President Rutherford B. Hayes issued a proclamation calling the citizens engaged in the strike to peacefully disperse and return to their homes.

THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION.

After Governor Matthews' letter giving information as to the force at his command had been received by the War Department the President issued the following proclamation:

By the President of the United States—A Proclamation:

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 the Executive, when the Legislature cannot be convened, against domestic violence; and

Whereas, The Governor of the State of West Virginia has represented that domestic violence exists in said State, at Martinsburg, and at various other points along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in said State, which the authorities of said State are unable to suppress; and

Whereas, The laws of the United States require that in all cases of insurrection in any State, or of obstruction to the laws thereof, whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the President, he shall forthwith, by proclamation, command such insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within a limited time.

Now, therefore, I, Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States, do hereby admonish all good citizens of the United States, and all persons within the territory and jurisdiction thereof, against aiding, countenancing, abetting or taking part in such unlawful proceedings; and I do hereby warn all persons engaged in or connected with said domestic violence and obstruction of the law to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes on or before 12 o'clock noon of the 19th day of July instant.

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 on this
18th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1877, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and second.

R.B. HAYES By the President:
F.W. SEWARD, Acting Secretary of State.