--Chicago Congregational Herald.
PROCLAMATION OF GEN. FREMONT.
HEADQUARTERS, WESTERN DIVISION,
St. Louis, Aug. 30, 1861.
Circumstances; in my judgment, are of sufficient urgency to render
it necessary that the Commanding General of this Department
should assume administrative powers of the State. Its disorganized
condition, helplessness of civil authority, and the total insecurity
of life and devastation of property by bands of murderers and
marauders, who infest nearly every county in the State, and avail
themselves of public misfortunes and the vicinity of a hostile force
to gratify private and neighborhood vengeance, and who find an enemy
wherever they find plunder, finally demand the severest measures to
repress the daily increasing crimes and outrages which are driving
off the inhabitants and ruining the State. In this condition, the
public safety and the success of our arms require unity of purpose,
without let or hindrance, to the prompt administration of affairs. In
order, therefore, to suppress disorder, maintain the public peace,
and give security to the persons and property of loyal citizens, I do
hereby extend and declare martial law throughout the State of
Missouri.
The lines of the army occupation in this State are, for the present,
declared to extend from Leavenworth by way of posts to Jefferson
City, Rolla and Ironton, to Cape Girardeau, on the Mississippi river.
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