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 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 TWENTY-SIXTH 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 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 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 unto 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
third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed)
G. Washington
