|
George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving 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 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 heads the many and 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 In 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 interposition
of His providence in the course and conclusion union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational
manner in which we have been enable 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 has 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 shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good peace,
and concord; to promote the knowledge and increase 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.
|
