Transcript of President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation from October 3, 1789.
By the President of the United States of America—
A 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 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 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 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, 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 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 government, 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 1789.
Go. Washington
