Suspending Writ of Habeas Corpus
Norfolk and Portsmouth must be threatened by the enemy
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch February 28, 1862:
By the President of the Confederate States of America.
a proclamation.
Whereas, the Congress of the Confederate States has by law vested in the President the power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in cities in danger of attack by the enemy:
Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, do hereby proclaim that martial law is extended over the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth and the surrounding country to the distance of ten miles from said cities, and all civil jurisdiction and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus are hereby declared to be suspended within the limited aforesaid.
This proclamation will remain in force until otherwise ordered.
In faith whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at the City of Richmond, on this twenty seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two
Jefferson Davis.
