The ritual of Official U.S. Government
Thanksgiving Proclamations to Almighty God is deeply ingrained in the
laws and traditions of the United States of America. A United Colonies
Thanksgiving Day can be traced back to the
First Fast Day Proclamation of the United Colonies of America issued by
John Hancock and the Continental Congress in March 1776. The first United
States Presidential Thanksgiving Day, however, was proclaimed on November 1, 1777.
In September of 1777 the war for
Independence was going very badly for the United States. President John Hancock
and his Continental Congress were forced to Flee Philadelphia a second time
winding up in the small hamlet of York-town (York today) 102 miles west of
Pennsylvania. The Continental Congress had lost New York City, Fort Ticonderoga
and their capitol, Philadelphia, to the British forces. Great Britain’s northern
army, under the command of General John Burgoyne, was marching down the Hudson
Valley to cut off New England from the Middle Atlantic States. These were
perilous days but the Continental Congress pressed on with their work conducting
what increasingly appeared to be a failing war effort.
The Delegates knew that a French Alliance and monetary aid would not be
forthcoming to their cause without a constitution forming a nation out of 13
independent States. The work in the York Courthouse was tedious in 1777 as the
delegates were in the final stages of formulating the first U.S. Constitution,
the
Articles of Confederation. John
Hancock wrote to
his wife Dorothy during this period:
"I sat
in the Chair yesterday & Conducted the Business Eight hours, which is too much,
and after that had the Business of my office to attend to as usual … I cannot
Stand it much longer in this way."
John Adams
wrote to Abigail Adams of his tenure in York:
"War
has no Charms for me … If I live much longer in Banishment, I shall scarcely
know my own Children. Tell my little ones, that if they will be very good, Pappa
will come home."
Charles
Carroll, a Maryland Delegate
initially wrote of his York experience
that
"The Congress still continues the same noisy, empty & talkative
assembly it always was since I have known it. No progress has been made in the
Confederation tho' all seem desirous of forming one. A good confederation.
I am
convinced would give us great strength & new vigor. This State is in a great
degree disaffected, & the well affected are inactive & supine. This supiness &
inactivity I attribute to the government & to the men who govern."
On
October 20, 1777 the Continental Congress
learned unofficially of General Burgoyne’s
defeat at Saratoga. The British plan to sever the States by controlling the Hudson River Valley
had failed and this resulted in the capture of General
Burgoyne
and his 6,000 troops. This was the news Congress and their Foreign French
Commissioner, Benjamin Franklin,
desperately needed to convince France to
form an alliance with the United States. Versailles, however, would require
more than just this victory to form an alliance. A U.S. constitution binding
the States was desperately
needed to enact such a treaty.
Work on the
Articles of Confederation
accelerated progressing steadily under what would be the last few days of
John
Hancock’s
Presidency. Key amendments and changes to the Articles were agreed on in the
sessions of October 27, 28, and even the 29th when John
Hancock
tendered his official resignation as President.
On October
31, 1777 General Horatio Gates’
official notification of the Saratoga Convention was reported to congress. The
spirit of the delegates soared as the thorough defeat of General Burgoyne was
far more than anyone anticipated. The following day
Henry Laurens, from South
Carolina and leader in the framing of the Articles of Confederation was elected
the fourth President of a very festive Continental Congress.
His first
official act as President was to Proclaim a Day of Thanksgiving. In his first
letter to the States President Laurens wrote:
“Dear
Sir, The Arms of the United States of America having been blessed in the present
Campaign with remarkable Success, Congress have Resolved to recommend that one
day, Thursday the 18th December next be Set apart to be observed by all
Inhabitants throughout these States for a General thanksgiving to Almighty God.
And I have it in command to transmit to you the inclosed extract from the
minutes of Congress for that purpose.”[v]
Constitutional deliberations resumed on the 10th of November with the
Delegates working until the morning of November 15th, 1777 concluding
the session with the passage of the Articles of Confederation.
Since then the ritual of Presidents declaring Thanksgiving days for fasting,
prayer and thanks are bountiful in U.S. history. Even before Independence was
declared John Hancock issued a Proclamation in March 1776 "that Friday, the Seventeenth day of
May next, be observed by the said colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and
prayer; "
President John Jay in the Spring of 1779 Proclaimed that
"the first Thursday in May next, to be a day of fasting, Thanksgiving
humiliation and prayer to Almighty God, that he will be pleased to avert those
impending calamities which we have but too well deserved.
"...
that Thursday the third day of May next, may be observed as a day of
humiliation, fasting and prayer, that we may, with united hearts, confess and
bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentance and
amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and through the merits
of our blessed Saviour, obtain pardon and forgiveness: that it may please him
to inspire our rulers with wisdom and uncorruptible integrity, And it is
recommended to all the people of these states, to assemble for public worship,
and abstain from labour on the said day."
President
Thomas McKean in the Fall of 1781 Proclaimed
"It
is therefore recommended to the several states to set apart the 13th day of
December next, to be religiously observed as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer;
that all the people may assemble on that day, with grateful hearts, to
celebrate the praises of our gracious Benefactor ..."
President John Hanson on November 28, 1782 Proclaimed
"...
the observation of the last Thursday, in the 28 day of November next, as a day
of solemn thanksgiving to God for all his mercies: and they do further
recommend to all ranks, to testify their gratitude to God for his goodness, by
a cheerful obedience to his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and
by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the
great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness."
George
Washington, in his first year as U.S. President, called for a November 26th day of Thanksgiving Proclaiming:
"
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next
to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and
glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that
is, or that will be-- to recommend to the People of the United States a day of
public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful
hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an
opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and
happiness."
We could go
on and on citing Presidential Proclamations of Thanksgiving but it is best we
skip to
President Abraham Lincoln who re-issue John Hanson's date of observance in his
Proclamation calling for a Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November:
"The year that is drawing
towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and
healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we
are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added,
which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and
soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful
providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude
and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to
provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has
been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has
prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that
theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the
Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of
peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the
shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and
the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded
even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased,
notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the
battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented
strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large
increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand
worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High
God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless
remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be
solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one
voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens
in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those
who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last
Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our
beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that
while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular
deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our
national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those
who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil
strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the
interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to
restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full
enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."
It was,
however,Franklin D. Roosevelt who, as President, established Thanksgiving as
a national holiday on the third Thursday of November due to five Thursdays
sometimes falling into November:
"I , Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America, do set aside and appoint Thursday,
the thirtieth day of November 1933, to be a Day of Thanksgiving for all our
people. May we on that day in our churches and in our homes give humble thanks
for the blessings bestowed upon us during the year past by Almighty God."
Fast Day Proclamation
March 16, 1776 John Hancock,
President
Continental Congress of the United
Colonies of America
In times of impending calamity and distress; when the liberties of America
are imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an
insidious and vindictive administration, it becomes the indispensable duty of
these hitherto free and happy colonies, with true penitence of heart, and the
most reverent devotion, publickly to acknowledge the over ruling providence of
God; to confess and deplore our offences against him; and to supplicate his
interposition for averting the threatened danger, and prospering our strenuous
efforts in the cause of freedom, virtue, and posterity.
The Congress, therefore, considering the warlike preparations of the British
Ministry to subvert our invaluable rights and priviledges, and to reduce us by
fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and our own domestics, to the
most abject and ignominious bondage: Desirous, at the same time, to have people
of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God's
superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely, in all their
lawful enterprizes, on his aid and direction, Do earnestly recommend, that
Friday, the Seventeenth day of May next, be observed by the said colonies as a
day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts,
confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere
repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and,
through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and
forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of
our unnatural enemies; and by inclining their hearts to
justice and benevolence, prevent the further effusion of kindred blood. But if,
continuing deaf to the voice of reason and humanity, and inflexibly bent, on
desolation and war, they constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by open
resistance, that it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate
our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them
in the day of battle, and to crown the continental arms, by sea and land, with
victory and success: Earnestly beseeching him to bless our civil rulers, and the
representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions; to
preserve and strengthen their union, to inspire them with an ardent,
disinterested love of their country; to give wisdom and stability to their
counsels; and direct them to the most efficacious measures for establishing the
rights of America on the most honourable and permanent basis--That he would be
graciously pleased to bless all his people in these colonies with health and
plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of pure
undefiled religion, may universally prevail; and this continent be speedily
restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them
inviolate to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians of all
denominations, to assemble for public worship, and abstain from servile labour
on the said day. John Hancock,
President of Congress and Charles
Thomson, Secretary.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
December 18th , 1777
Henry Laurens, President
Continental Congress of the United
States of America
Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending
providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to
him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand
in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue
to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also to smile upon
us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence and
establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he
hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the
support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success: It is
therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United
States, to set apart Thursday, the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn
thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart1 and one voice the good people may
express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the
service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere
acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their
manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favour, and their humble and
earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ,
mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him
graciously to afford his blessing on the governments of these states
respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our
commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and
fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of
Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human
blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade
and manufactures of the people and the labour of the husbandman, that our land
may yet yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so
necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety,
under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion
and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth "in righteousness, peace and
joy in the Holy Ghost." Henry
Laurens,
President of Congress and Charles
Thomson, Secretary.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
March 20th, 1779 John Jay, President
Continental Congress of the United
States of America
Whereas, in just punishment of our manifold transgressions, it hath pleased the
Supreme Disposer of all events to visit these United States with a destructive
calamitous war, through which His divine Providence hath, hitherto, in a
wonderful manner, conducted us, so that we might acknowledge that the race is
not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong: and whereas, there is but too
much Reason to fear that notwithstanding the chastisements received and benefits
bestowed, too few have been sufficiently awakened to a sense of their guilt, or
warmed our Bosoms with gratitude, or taught to amend their lives and turn from
their sins, that so He might turn from His wrath. And whereas, from a
consciousness of what we have merited at His hands, and an apprehension that the
malevolence of our disappointed enemies, like the incredulity of Pharaoh, may be
used as the scourge of Omnipotence to vindicate his slighted Majesty, there is
reason to fear that he may permit much of our land to become the prey of the
spoiler, and the Blood of the innocent be poured out that our borders to be
ravaged, and our habitations destroyed:
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several states to appoint the first
Thursday in May next, to be a day of fasting, Thanksgiving humiliation and
prayer to Almighty God, that he will be pleased to avert those impending
calamities which we have but too well deserved: that he will grant us his grace
to repent of our sins, and amend our lives, according to his holy word: that he
will continue that wonderful protection which hath led us through the paths of
danger and distress: that he will be a husband to the widow and a father to the
fatherless children, who weep over the barbarities of a savage enemy: that he
will grant us patience in suffering, and fortitude in adversity: that he will
inspire us with humility and moderation, and gratitude in prosperous
circumstances: that he will give wisdom to our councils, firmness to our
resolutions, and victory to our arms That he will have Mercy on our Foes, and
graciously forgive them, and turn their Hearts from Enmity to Love.
That he will bless the labours of the husbandman, and pour forth abundance, so
that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth in due season. That he will cause
union, harmony, and mutual confidence to prevail throughout these states: that
he will bestow on our great ally all those blessings which may enable him to be
gloriously instrumental in protecting the rights of mankind, and promoting the
happiness of his subjects and advancing the Peace and Liberty of Nations. That
he will give to both Parties to this Alliance, Grace to perform with Honor and
Fidelity their National Engagements.
That he will bountifully continue his paternal care to the
commander in chief, and the officers and soldiers of the United States: that he
will grant the blessings of peace to all contending nations, freedom to those
who are in bondage, and comfort to the afflicted: that he will diffuse useful
knowledge, extend the influence of true religion, and give us that peace of
mind, which the world cannot give: that he will be our shield in the day of
battle, our comforter in the hour of death, and our kind parent and merciful
judge through time and through eternity. John Jay,
President of Congress and Charles
Thomson, Secretary.
Fast Day Proclamation
March 20, 1781 Samuel Huntington, President
United States in Congress Assembled
In times of calamity and impending danger when a
vindictive enemy pursues with unrelenting fury a war of rapine and devastation
to reduce us by fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness and our own
domestics to the most abject and ignominious bondage; it becomes the
indispensable duty of the citizens of these United States with true penitence of
heart publicly to acknowledge the over ruling Providence of God, to confess our
offences against him, and to supplicate his gracious interposition for averting
the threatened danger and preparing our efforts in the defence and preservation
of our injured country.
At all times it is our duty to acknowledge the over-ruling providence of the
great Governor of the universe, and devoutly to implore his divine favour and
protection. But in the hour of calamity and impending danger, when by fire and
the sword, by the savages of the wilderness, and by our own domestics, a
vindictive enemy pursues a war of rapine and devastation, with unrelenting fury,
we are peculiarly excited, with true penitence of heart, to prostrate ourselves
before our great Creator, and fervently to supplicate his gracious interposition
for our deliverance.
The United States in Congress assembled, therefore do earnestly recommend, that
Thursday the third day of May next, may be observed as a day of humiliation,
fasting and prayer, that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our
manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentance and amendment of
life, appease his righteous displeasure, and through the merits of our blessed
Saviour, obtain pardon and forgiveness: that it may please him to inspire our
rulers with wisdom and uncorruptible integrity,
and to direct and prosper their councils: to inspire all our citizens with a
fervent and disinterested love of their country, and to preserve and strengthen
their union: to turn the hearts of the disaffected, or to frustrate their
devices: to regard with divine compassion our friends in captivity, affliction
and distress, to comfort and relieve them under their sufferings, and to change
their mourning into grateful songs of triumph: that it may please him to bless
our ally, and to render the connection formed between these United States and
his kingdoms a mutual and lasting benefit to both nations: to animate our
officers and forces by sea and land with invincible fortitude, and to guard and
protect them in the day of battle, and to crown our joint endeavours for
terminating the calamities of war with victory and success: that the blessings
of peace and liberty may be established on an honourable and permanent basis,
and transmitted inviolate
to the latest posterity: that it may please him to prosper our husbandry and
commerce, and to bless us with health and plenty: that it may please him to
bless all schools and seminaries of learning, and to grant that truth, justice
and benevolence, and pure and undefiled religion, may universally prevail. And
it is recommended to all the people of these states, to assemble for public
worship, and abstain from labour on the said day.
Samuel Huntington,
President of the United States in Congress Assembled.
Charles Thomson, Secretary
of the United States in Congress Assembled
Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 26th, 1781 Thomas McKean, President
United States in Congress Assembled
Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the supreme
Disposer of all Events father of mercies, remarkably to assist and support
the United States of America in their important struggle for liberty, against
the long continued efforts of a powerful nation: it is the duty of all ranks to
observe and thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of his Providence in their
behalf. Through the whole of the contest, from its first rise to this time, the
influence of divine Providence may be clearly perceived in many signal
instances, of which we mention but a few.
In revealing the councils of our enemies, when the discoveries were seasonable
and important, and the means seemingly inadequate or fortuitous; in preserving
and even improving the union of the several states, on the breach of which our
enemies placed their greatest dependence; in increasing the number, and adding
to the zeal and attachment of the friends of Liberty; in granting remarkable
deliverances, and blessing us with the most signal success, when affairs seemed
to have the most discouraging appearance; in raising up for us a powerful and
generous ally, in one of the first of the European powers; in confounding the
councils of our enemies, and suffering
them to pursue such measures as have most directly contributed to frustrate
their own desires and expectations; above all, in making their extreme cruelty
of their officers and soldiers to the inhabitants of these states, when in their
power, and their savage devastation of property, the very means of cementing our
union, and adding vigor to every effort in opposition to them.
And as we cannot help leading the good people of these states to a retrospect on
the events which have taken place since the beginning of the war, so we beg
recommend in a particular manner that they may observe and acknowledge to their
observation, the goodness of God in the year now drawing to a conclusion: in
which A mutiny in the American Army was not only happily appeased but became in
its issue a pleasing and undeniable proof of the unalterable attachment of the
people in general to the cause of liberty since great and real grievances only
made them tumultuously seek redress while the abhorred the thoughts of going
over to the enemy, in which the Confederation of the United States has been
completed by the accession of all without exception in which there have been so
many instances of prowess and success in our armies; particularly in the
southern states, where, notwithstanding the difficulties with which they had to
struggle, they have recovered the whole country which the enemy had overrun,
leaving them only a post or two upon on
or near the sea: in which we have been so powerfully and effectually assisted by
our allies, while in all the conjunct operations the most
perfect union and harmony has subsisted in the allied army: in which there has
been so plentiful a harvest, and so great abundance of the fruits of the earth
of every kind, as not only enables us easily to supply the wants of the army,
but gives comfort and happiness to the whole people: and in which, after the
success of our allies by sea, a General of the first Rank, with his whole army,
has been captured by the allied forces under the direction of our illustrious
Commander in Chief.
It is therefore recommended to the several states to set apart the 13th day of
December next, to be religiously observed as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer;
that all the people may assemble on that day, with grateful hearts, to celebrate
the praises of our gracious Benefactor; to confess our manifold sins; to offer
up our most fervent supplications to the God of all grace, that it may please
Him to pardon our offences, and incline our hearts for the future to keep all
his laws; to comfort and relieve all our brethren who are in distress or
captivity; to prosper our husbandmen, and give success to all engaged in lawful
commerce; to impart wisdom and integrity to our
counsellors, judgment and fortitude to our officers and soldiers; to protect and
prosper our illustrious ally, and favor our united exertions for the speedy
establishment of a safe, honorable and lasting peace; to bless all seminaries of
learning; and cause the knowledge of God to cover the earth, as the waters cover
the seas. By Order of the United States in Congress Assembled Thomas McKean, President
Fast Day Proclamation
March 19, 1782 John Hanson, President
United States in Congress Assembled
The goodness of the Supreme Being to all his rational creatures, demands their
acknowledgments of gratitude and love; his absolute government of this world
dictates, that it is the interest of every nation and people ardently to
supplicate his mercy favor and implore his protection.
When the lust of dominion or lawless ambition excites arbitrary power to invade
the rights, or endeavor to wrench wrest from a people their sacred and
unalienable invaluable privileges, and compels them, in defence of the same, to
encounter all the horrors and calamities of a bloody and vindictive war; then is
that people loudly called upon to fly unto that God for protection, who hears
the eries of the distressed, and will not turn a deaf ear to the supplication of
the oppressed.
Great Britain, hitherto left to infatuated councils, and to pursue measures
repugnant to their her own interest, and distressing to this country, still
persists in the chimerical idea design of subjugating these United States; which
will compel us into another active and perhaps bloody campaign.
The United States in Congress assembled, therefore, taking into consideration
our present situation, our multiplied transgressions of the holy laws of our
God, and his past acts of kindness and goodness exercised towards us, which we
would ought to record with the liveliest gratitude, think it their indispensable
duty to call upon the different several states, to set apart the last Thursday
in April next, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, that our joint
supplications may then ascend to the throne of the Ruler of the Universe,
beseeching Him that he would to diffuse a spirit of universal reformation among
all ranks and degrees of our citizens; and make us a holy, that so we may be an
happy people; that it would please Him to impart wisdom, integrity and unanimity
to our counsellors; to bless and prosper the reign of our illustrious ally, and
give success to his arms employed in the defence of the rights of human nature;
that He would smile upon our military arrangements by land and sea; administer
comfort and consolation to our prisoners in a cruel captivity;
that he would protect the health and life of our Commander in Chief; give grant
us victory over our enemies; establish peace in all our borders, and give
happiness to all our inhabitants; that he would prosper the labor of the
husbandman, making the earth yield its increase in abundance, and give a proper
season for the in gathering of the fruits thereof; that He would grant success
to all engaged in lawful trade and commerce, and take under his guardianship all
schools and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of virtue and piety;
that He would incline the hearts of all men to peace, and fill them with
universal charity and benevolence, and that the religion of our Divine Redeemer,
with all its benign influences, may cover the earth as the waters cover the
seas. John Hanson, President of the United States in Congress Assembled.
Charles
Thomson, Secretary of the United States in Congress Assembled
Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 11th, 1782 John Hanson, President
United States in Congress Assembled
It being the indispensable duty of all nations, not only
to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver of all good, for his
gracious assistance in the a time of public distress, but also in a solemn and
public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for
great and signal interpositions of his Providence in their behalf; therefore,
the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the
many instances of divine goodness to these states, in the course of the
important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; and the present
happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war in the
course of the last year now drawing to a close, particularly the harmony of the
public councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the
perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them
and their allies, notwithstanding
the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to sow dissension between
them divide them; the success of the arms of the United States and those of
their allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European
power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to
these states; and the success of their arms and those of their allies in
different parts do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these states in
general, to observe, and recommend it to the executives of request the several
states to interpose their authority in appointing and requiring commanding the
observation of the last Thursday, in the 28 day of November next, as a day of
solemn thanksgiving to God for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to
all ranks, to testify their gratitude to God for his goodness, by a cheerful
obedience to his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his
influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great
foundation of public prosperity and national happiness. John Hanson,
President of the United States in Congress Assembled.
Charles Thomson, Secretary
of the United States in Congress Assembled
PROCLAMATION OF THANKS TO THE ARMY
October 18, 1783 Elias Boudinot
United States in Congress Assembled
Whereas in the progress of an arduous and difficult war,
the armies of the United States of America have eminently displayed every
military and patriotic virtue, and are not less to be applauded for their
invincible fortitude and magnanimity in the most trying scenes of adversity and
distress, than for a series of heroic and illustrious achievements, which exalt
them to a high rank among the most zealous and successful defenders of the
rights and liberties of mankind. And whereas by the blessing of Divine
Providence on our cause and our arms, the glorious period is arrived when our
national independence and sovereignty are established, and we enjoy the prospect
of a permanent and honorable peace: We therefore, the United States in Congress
assembled, thus impressed with a lively sense of the
distinguished merit and good conduct of the said armies, do give them the thanks
of their country, for their long, eminent and faithful services.
And it is our will and pleasure, that such part of the federal armies as stands
engaged to serve during the war, and as by our Acts of the 26 day of May, the 11
day of June, the 9 day August, and the 26 day of September last, were
furloughed, shall, from and after the tenth third day of October November next,
be absolutely discharged by virtue of this our proclamation, from the said
service: and we do also declare, that the further services in the field, of the
officers who are deranged and on furlough, in consequence of our aforesaid Acts,
can now be dispensed with, and they have our full permission to retire from
service, without being longer liable from their present engagements, to be
called into command. And of such discharge and permission to retire from service
respectively, all our officers, civil and military, and all others whom it may
concern, are required to take notice, and to govern themselves accordingly.
Given under the seal of the United States in Congress assembled, witness his
Excellency Elias Boudinot, our President in Congress, this eighteenth day of
October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three,
and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America the
eighth.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789 George Washington, President
United States of America
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty
God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore
his protection and favor--and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their
joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States
a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with
grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording
them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety
and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next
to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and
glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is,
or that will be--That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere
and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this
Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold
mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced
in the tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the
peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish
constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the
national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with
which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful
knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath
been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and
supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon
our national and other transgressions--to enable us all, whether in public or
private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and
punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by
constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly
and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and
Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with
good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of
true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and
generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he
alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year
of our Lord 1789. Go: Washington, President of the United States of
America
Fast Day Proclamation
March 23rd 1798 John Adams, President
United States of America
As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the
protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of
this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a
duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and
piety without which social happiness can not exist nor the blessings of a free
government be enjoyed; and as this duty, at all times incumbent, is so
especially in seasons of difficulty or of danger, when existing or threatening
calamities, the just judgments of God against prevalent iniquity, are a loud
call to repentance and reformation; and as the United States of America are at
present placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation by the unfriendly
disposition, conduct, and demands of a foreign power, evinced by repeated
refusals to receive our messengers of reconciliation and peace, by depredations
on our commerce, and the infliction of injuries on very many of our
fellow-citizens while engaged in their lawful business on the seas--under these
considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and
benediction of Heaven on our country demands at this time a special attention
from its inhabitants.
I have therefore thought fit to recommend, and I do hereby recommend, that
Wednesday, the 9th day of May next, be observed throughout the United States as
a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that the citizens of these
States, abstaining on that day from their customary worldly occupations, offer
their devout addresses to the Father of Mercies agreeably to those forms or
methods which they have severally adopted as the most suitable and becoming;
that all religious congregations do, with the deepest humility, acknowledge
before God the manifold sins and transgressions with which we are justly
chargeable as individuals and as a nation, beseeching Him at the same time, of
His infinite grace, through the Redeemer of the World, freely to remit all our
offenses, and to incline us by His Holy Spirit to that sincere repentance and
reformation which may afford us reason to hope for his inestimable favor and
heavenly benediction; that it be made the subject of particular and earnest
supplication that our country may be protected from all the dangers which
threaten it; that our civil and religious privileges may be preserved inviolate
and perpetuated to the latest generations; that our public councils and
magistrates may be especially enlightened and directed at this critical period;
that the American people may be united in those bonds of amity and mutual
confidence and inspired with that vigor and fortitude by which they have in
times past been so highly distinguished and by which they have obtained such
invaluable advantages; that the health of the inhabitants of our land may be
preserved, and their agriculture, commerce, fisheries, arts, and manufactures be
blessed and prospered; that the principles of genuine piety and sound morality
may influence the minds and govern the lives of every description of our
citizens, and that the blessings of peace, freedom, and pure religion may be
speedily extended to all the nations of the earth.
And Finally, I recommend that on the said day the duties of humiliation and
prayer be accompanied by fervent thanksgiving to the Bestower of Every Good
Gift, not only for His having hitherto protected and preserved the people of
these United States in the independent enjoyment of their religious and civil
freedom, but also for having prospered them in a wonderful progress of
population, and for conferring on them many and great favors conducive to the
happiness and prosperity of a nation. Given under my hand and the seal of the
United States of America, at Philadelphia, this 23d day of march, A. D. 1798,
and of the Independence of the said States the twenty-second.
JOHN ADAMS,
President of the United States of America.
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