Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 5.
Frank Moore, Ed.

the city of New-Orleans and its environs, with all its interior and exterior defences, having surrendered to the combined land and naval forces of the United States, and being now in the occupation of the forces of the United States, who have come to restore order, maintain public tranquillity, enforce peace and quiet under the laws and Constitution of the United States, the Major-General Commanding hereby proclaims the object and purpose of the United States in thus taking possession of New-Orleans and the State of Louisiana, and the rules and regulations by which the laws of the United States will be for the present and during the state of war enforced and maintained, for the plain guidance of all good citizens of the United States, as well as others, who may heretofore have been in rebellion against their authority.

Thrice before has the city of New-Orleans been rescued from the hands of a foreign government and still more calamitous domestic insurrection by the money and arms of the United States. It has of late been under the military control of rebel forces. At each time, in the judgment of the commanders of military forces holding it, it has been found necessary to preserve order and maintain quiet by an administration of martial law. Even during the interim from its evacuation by the rebel soldiers and its actual possession by the soldiers of the United States, the civil authorities found it necessary to call for the intervention of an armed body known as the European Legion to preserve public tranquillity. The Commanding General, therefore, will cause the city to be governed until the restoration of the United States authority, and his further orders, by martial law.

All persons in arms against the United States are required to surrender themselves, with their arms, equipments, and munitions of war. The body known as the European Legion, not being understood to be in arms against the United States, but organized for the protection of the lives and property of the citizens, are invited to still cooperate with the forces of the United States to that end, and so acting will not be included within the terms of this order, but will report to these headquarters.

All ensigns, flags, devices, tending to uphold any other authority save those of the United States and foreign consulates, must not be exhibited, but suppressed. The American ensign, the emblem of the United States, must be treated with the utmost respect by all persons, under pain of severe punishment.

All persons well disposed to the United States, who shall renew their allegiance, will receive safeguard and protection in their persons and property by the armies of the United States, a violation of which will be punishable by death.

All persons still holding allegiance to the confederate States will be deemed rebels against the United States, and regarded and treated as enemies thereof.

All foreigners not naturalized, or claiming allegiance to their respective governments, and not having made oath of allegiance to the government of the confederate States, will be protected in their persons and property as heretofore, under the laws of the United States.

All persons who may heretofore have given adherence to the supposed government of the confederate States, or have been in their service, who shall lay down, deliver up their arms, return to their peaceful occupations, and preserve quiet and order, holding no further correspondence nor giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States, will not be disturbed in person or property, except so far under orders of the Commanding General as exigencies of the public service may render necessary.

Keepers of all public property, whether State, National, or confederate, such as collections of art, libraries, museums, as well as all public buildings, all munitions of war, and armed vessels, will all, at once, make full reports thereof to these headquarters. All manufacturers of arms and munitions of war will report to these headquarters their kinds and places of business.

All rights of property of whatever kind will be held inviolate, subject only to the laws of the United States.

All inhabitants are enjoined to pursue their