On April 19 , 1861 , President Lincoln issued Statement a `` Proclamation of Blockade Against Southern Ports '' : Whereas an insurrection against the Government of the United States has broken out Process_start in the States of South Carolina , Georgia , Alabama , Florida , Mississippi , Louisiana , and Texas , and the laws of the United States for the collection of the revenue can not be effectually executed therein comformably to that provision of the Constitution which requires duties to be uniform throughout the United States : And whereas a combination of persons engaged in such insurrection , have threatened Warning to grant pretended letters of marque to authorize the bearers thereof to commit Commitment assaults on the lives , vessels , and property of good citizens of the country lawfully engaged in commerce on the high seas , and in waters of the United States : And whereas an Executive Proclamation has been already issued , requiring the persons engaged in these disorderly proceedings to desist therefrom , calling out a militia force for the purpose of repressing the same , and convening Congress in extraordinary session , to deliberate and determine thereon : Now , therefore , I , Abraham Lincoln , President of the United States , with a view to the same purposes before mentioned Statement , and to the protection of the public peace , and the lives and property of quiet and orderly citizens pursuing their lawful occupations , until Congress shall have assembled Come_together and deliberated on the said unlawful proceedings , or until the same shall ceased Process_end , have further deemed Coming_to_believe it advisable to set Placing on foot a blockade of the ports within the States aforesaid , in pursuance of the laws of the United States , and of the law of Nations , in such case provided Supply .