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
Where as 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 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 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 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 favor, able
interpositions of His providence 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 had been pleased to confer on 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
governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true
religion and virtue, and the 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.
-Given
under my hand, at the city of New York,the 3rd day
of October A.D.
1789, G. Washington