Thanksgiving Proclamation Of 1789

 

 

 

 "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless 
the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain."
(Psalm 127:1)

 

 George Washington
(1732-1799)
1st President of the United States of America
Image courtesy/Wikipedia

 

 

 A Proclamation 

 By the President of the 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 to 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 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 single and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His
 Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war- 
for the great degree of tranquility, 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 pleased to confer upon us, and also, that we may then unite
 most 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 (and especially such as have shewn
 kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord;

To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and increase 
of science among 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 

 

Material Resource courtesy of George Washington's Mount Vernon
 and The Mount Vernon Ladies Association