Page:A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, Including the Diplomatic Correspondence, 1861-1865, Volume I.djvu/356

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Messages and Papers of the Confederacy.

former Government, which was, at the time of the issue, the duly authorized agent for that purpose of the State of Virginia), did recently assume to act as consul for a place other than the city of Richmond, and a State other than the State of Virginia, and was, thereupon, on the twentieth day of February last, 1863, requested by the Secretary of State to submit to the Department of State his consular commission, as well as any other authority he may have received to act in behalf of the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, before further correspondence could be held with him as Her Majesty's Consul at the port of Richmond; and whereas, the said George Moore has lately, without acceding to said request, entered into correspondence, as Her Majesty's Consul, with the Secretary of War of these Confederate States, thereby disregarding the legitimate authority of this Government:

These, therefore, are to declare that I do no longer recognize the said George Moore as Her Britannic Majesty's Consul in any part of these Confederate States, nor permit him to exercise or enjoy any of the functions, powers, or privileges allowed to the consuls of Great Britain. And I do wholly revoke and annul any exequatur heretofore given to the said George Moore by the Government which was formerly authorized to grant such exequatur as agent of the State of Virginia, and do declare the said exequatur to be absolutely null and void from this day forward.

In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the Confederate States of America to be herewith affixed.

[SEAL.] Given under my hand this fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Jefferson Davis.

By the President:

J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State.


By the President of the Confederate States.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, it is provided by an act of Congress entitled "An Act to further provide for the public defense," approved on the 16th day of April, 1862, and by another act of Congress approved on 27th of September, 1862, entitled "An Act to amend an act entitled 'An Act to provide further for the public defense,' approved