Grant was inaugurated on March 4, 1869. On May 14, 1869, President Grant issued the following proclamation:“Every person who has been a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President or Vice-President, or who held any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.” The committee thus achieved its goal of authorizing a separate vote for the provisions restricting former Confederates and sympathizers.