Proclamation declaring a blockade of Southern ports.

The article presents United States President Abraham Lincoln's April 19, 1861, proclamation declaring the blockade of ports in seceded Southern states. Lincoln states that the blockade was ordered because the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas began an insurrection against the U.S. government. The secession of the Southern states interfered with the ability of the U.S. government to collect revenues from those states as required by the U.S. Constitution. Details of the blockade are presented, including plans to post military ships at the ports. Lincoln states that any ship attempting to violate the blockade would be charge with piracy and subject to punishment.