Emperor Norton Project Archives - The Libertarian Labyrinth

Proclamations for 1860

September 17, 2019 Shawn P. Wilbur

EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: January 4, 1860 Proclamation. Whereas, a body of men calling themselves the National Congress, are now in session in Washington city, in violation of our Imperial edict of the 12th of October last, declaring the said Congress abolished: Whereas, it is necessary for the repose of our Empire that the said decree should be strictly complied with: Now, therefore, we do hereby Order and Direct Major General Scott, the Commander-in-Chief of our Armies, immediately on receipt of this our Decree, to proceed with a suitable force and clear the Halls of Congress. Norton I., Emperor […]

Emperor Norton Project

December 13, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

Proclamations for 1859 Proclamations for 1860 Proclamations for 1861 Proclamations for 1862 Proclamations for 1863 Proclamations for 1864 Proclamations for 1865 Proclamations for 1866 Proclamations for 1867 Proclamations for 1868 Proclamations for 1869 Proclamations for 1870 Proclamations for 1871 Proclamations for 1872 Proclamations for 1873 Proclamations for 1874 Proclamations for 1875 Proclamations for 1876-79 Notes: S. F. Mirror — 1861 Published Proclamations A collection of The Proclamations of Emperor Norton is available in pdf form in the Libertarian Labyrinth library. It will be updated as new material is unearthed. “Have We an Emperor among us?” Evening Bulletin (San Francisco) 8 […]

The Departed (two poems, 1871)

February 10, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

These two poems amount to a sort of roll-call of some of the Bay Area’s most colorful characters, including, of course, Emperor Norton I. I’ll take some time in the near future to add some material about some of the others. NOTES: “A familiar figure for many years was the ‘Gutter Snipe.’ His shoulders were covered all seasons with an old white oilcloth cape. He went about the streets head down, rummaging among the gutters, picking up bits of vegetables and fruit, wiping the dirt off with his sleeve, and eating them. He never spoke to any one, never looked […]

Proclamations for 1870

January 16, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] April 19, 1870 Norton’s Proclamation. Emperor Norton issued the following proclamation yesterday: Whereas, We, Norton I,. Dei Gratia, Emperor of North America, &c., being desirous of seeing the Central Pacific Railroad completed by having a good solid double track, and also having it warmed by means of heated pipes, so as to melt the snows during the winter, etc. And, whereas, we are in need of all our funds for this and other affairs of a personal nature. And whereas, the China merchants, Koopmanschap & Co. of San Francisco, have for a long time […]

Proclamations for 1871

January 15, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] January 7, 1871 Proclamation. Being anxious to have a reliable weekly imperial organ, we, Norton I, Dei Gratia Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, do hereby appoint the Pacific Appeal our said organ, conditionally, that they are not traitors, and stand true to our colors. Norton I. San Francisco, Dec. 23, 1870. May 20, 1871 [“proclamation on the Chinese Question”] May 27, 1871 Apology.—Last week, one of the compositors employed on this paper took; to unwarrantable liberty by adding two obnoxious words after the signature of Emperor Norton to the proclamation […]

Proclamations for 1872

January 15, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] January 6, 1872 Proclamation. Whereas, we observe that certain newspapers are agitating the project of bridging the Bay; and whereas, we are desirous of connecting the cities of San Francisco and Oakland by such means; now, therefore, we, Norton I, Dei gratia Emperor, do hereby prohibit the Ravenswood scheme being carried into effect, and order that the bridge be built from Oakland Point to Telegraph Hill, via Goat Island. Norton I. ——— The authorities of Los Angeles are held responsible for the outrages perpetrated on the Chinese in that city recently, if every person […]

Proclamations for 1876-1879

January 14, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] January 31, 1876 Centennial Proclamation. Emperor Norton Decrees Half Fares, and Prohibits Local Celebrations. In accordance with the gracious request of His American Majesty Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, we herewith publish His Majesty’s proclamation decreeing certain regulations touching the proper observation of the forthcoming celebration of the hundredth anniversary of American Independence. The proclamation will be telegraphed to all the principal centers of business and population in the Eastern State this afternoon. Following is the PROCLAMATION. In order that public attention may not be diverted from the […]

Proclamations for 1873

January 14, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] January 4, 1873 Proclamation. Understanding that there is a lady named Miss Watson, living over at Oakland, who is being annoyed by the friends of other ladies making her play hide and seek, to the danger of her liberty and rights. Now, therefore, we Norton I, Dei Gratia, do hereby command all and every person, to desist from such outrage and wrong, under penalty of our Sovereign displeasure. Norton I. January 11, 1873 Proclamation. Whereas, Mr. Woodward permits parties to prohibit our entrance to the “Gardens,” whereby our Friday morning Court has been broken […]

Proclamations for 1859

January 14, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: September 17, 1859 Have We an Emperor among us? The world is full of queer people. This forenoon, a well-dressed and serious-looking man entered our office and quietly left the following document, which he respectfully requested we would examine and insert in the Bulletin. Promising him to look at it, he politely retired, without saying anything further. Here is the paper: At the peremtory request of a large majority of the citizens of these United States, I, Joshua Norton, formerly of Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope, and now for the past nine years and […]

Proclamations for 1874

January 14, 2018 Shawn P. Wilbur

[ezcol_1third] EMPEROR NORTON PROJECT: [/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end] January 3, 1874 Proclamation. “A Happy New Year” to all true and loyal subjects of the Empire of Norton I. January 10, 1874 Proclamation. For the better protection of the health of all our citizens, We, Norton I, Dei Gracia Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, do hereby order and decree that a separate locality in the several cities, respectively, be appropriated by the City Councils of each city, to be termed the Chinese quarters, and the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco forthwith set apart […]