Presidential Proclamation 90 by President Abraham Lincoln Revoking General David Hunter's Order of Military Emancipation
5/19/1862
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On May 9, 1862, Gen. David Hunter declared all slaves in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida “forever free” and authorized them to serve in the U.S. Army. President Lincoln believed only he could give such an order. Twelve days later he issued this proclamation revoking Hunter’s edict. He scolded the general for exceeding his authority but warned slaveholders that such an order might “become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the government.”
This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.
National Archives Identifier: 4656009
Full Citation: Presidential Proclamation 90 by President Abraham Lincoln Revoking General David Hunter's Order of Military Emancipation; 5/19/1862; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/presidential-proclamation-90-by-president-abraham-lincoln-revoking-general-david-hunters-order-of-military-emancipation, September 30, 2023]Activities that use this document
- From Slavery to Juneteenth: Emancipation and Ending Enslavement
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