[New York, 3 October 1789]
By
the President of the United States of America. A Proclamation. 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
Source: University of Virginia, The
Papers of George Washington
|