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 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 manifold mercies, and the favorable
interpositions of his providence, in the course and conclusion of the late
war; for the great degree of 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 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 institutions, 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.
(Taken from Linton, Ralph and Adelin. We Gather Together: The Story
of
Thanksgiving [New York: Henry Schuman, 1949] 84-86.)