Categories: Historical Documents

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1781, Massachusetts

John Hancock (1737-1793) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the president of the Continental Congress, and governor of Massachusetts. It was during his time as governor that he issued the following November 8, 1781 proclamation declaring a day of Thanksgiving for December 7, 1781.

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By His EXCELLENCY

JOHN HANCOCK, Esq;

Governor and Command in Chief and over the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts.

A PROCLAMATION for a Day of THANKSGIVING.

 

Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God, the Father of Mercies, remarkably to assist and support the United States of America, in their important Struggle for Liberty against the long continued Efforts of a powerful Nation; it is the Duty of all Ranks of People to observe and thankfully acknowledge the Interpositions of his Providence in their behalf.

Through the whole of the Contest, from its first Rise to this Time, the Influence of Divine Providence may be clearly perceived in many signal Instances, of which but a few are mentioned.

In revealing the Counsels of our Enemies, when the Discoveries were seasonable and important, and the Means seemingly adequate or fortuitous.—

In preserving and even improving the Union of several States, on the Breach of which our Enemies placed their greatest Dependence.—

In increasing the Number and adding the Zeal and Attachment of the Friends of Liberty.—

In granting remarkable Deliverances, and blessing us with the most signal Success when Affairs seemed to have the most discouraging Appearance.—

In raising up for us a powerful and generous Ally, in one of the first of the European powers.—

In confounding the Counsels of our Enemies and suffering them to pursue such Measures as have most directly contributed to frustrate their own Desires and Expectations.—

Above all,

In making their extreme Cruelty to the Inhabitants of these States, when in their Power, and their Savage Devastation of Property, the very Means of cementing our Union, and adding Vigor to every Effort in Opposition to them.

And as, therefore, it is the incumbent Duty of the good People of this State, as well as of those of the other States, to take a Retrospect on the Events which have taken place since the Beginning of the War, so I cannot but recommend, in a particular Manner to their Observation, the Goodness of God in the Year now drawing to a Conclusion.

In which,
The Confederation of the United States has been completed.—

In which,

There have been so many Instances of Prowess and Success in our Armies, particularly in the Southern States, where, notwithstanding the Difficulties with which they had to struggle, they have recovered the whole Country which the Enemy had overrun, leaving them only a Post or two on or near the Sea.—

In which,

We have been so powerfully and effectually assisted by our Allies, while in all the conjunct Operations, the most perfect Harmony has subsisted in the Allied Army.—

In which,

There has been so plentiful a Harvest, and so great Abundance of the Fruits of the Earth of every Kind, as not only enables us easily to supply the Wants of our Army, but gives Comfort and Happiness to the whole People:—And,

In which,

After the Success of our Allies by Sea, a General of the first Rank, with his whole Army, has been captured by the allied Forces under the Direction of our Commander in Chief.

I do therefore, by and with the Advice of the Council, appoint, and do hereby appoint the Thirteenth Day of December next (the Day recommended by the Congress to all the States) to be religiously observed as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer; that all the People may assemble on that Day, with grateful Hearts to celebrate the Praises of our gracious Benefactor; to confess our manifold Sins; to offer up our most fervent Supplications to the God of all Grace, that it may please Him to pardon our Offenses and incline our Hearts for the future to keep all his Laws, to comfort and relieve all our Brethren who are in Distress or Captivity; to prosper our Husbandmen and give Success to all engaged in lawful Commerce; to direct all our public Counsels, and to impart Judgment and Fortitude to our Officers and Soldiers; to protect and prosper our illustrious Ally, and favor our united Exertions for the speedy Establishment of a safe, honorable, and lasting Peace; to bless all Seminaries of Learning, and cause the Knowledge of God to cover the Earth, as the Waters cover the Sea.

Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the Twenty Second Day of November, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one, and in the Sixth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

JOHN HANCOCK.

By His Excellency’s Command,
John Avery, jun. Secretary.

GOD save the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
 

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1781

The following is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer issued by Thomas McKean, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, while he was serving as President of Congress. This proclamation was issued on October 26, 1781 and the Day of Thanksgiving was to be December 18, 1781. This proclamation was published in The Independent Ledger and the American Advertiser on November 19, 1781.

 

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By the United States, in Congress
Assembled.

PROCLAMATION.
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Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God, the Father of Mercies, remarkably to assist and support the United States of America in their important struggle for liberty against the long-continued efforts of a powerful nation, it is the duty of all ranks to observe and thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of his Providence in their behalf; – Through the whole of the contest from its first rise to this time the influence of Divine Providence may be clearly perceived in many signal instances, of which we mention but a few: –

In revealing the counsels of our enemies, when the discoveries were seasonable and important, and the means seemingly inadequate or fortuitous.

In preserving and even improving the union of the several states on the breach of which our enemies placed their greatest dependence,

In increasing the number and adding to the zeal ad attachment of friends of liberty,

In granting remarkable deliverances and blessings with the most signal success, when affairs seemed to have the most discouraging appearance,

In raising up for us a most powerful and generous ally in one of the first of European Powers,

In confounding the counsels of our enemies and suffering them to pursue such measures a shave most directly contributed to frustrate their own desires and expectations: above all

In making their extreme cruelty to the inhabitants of those states when in their power and their savage devastation of property the very means of cementing our Union and adding vigor to every effort in opposition to them; and as we cannot help leading the good people of these states to a retrospect on the events which have taken place since the beginning of the war so we may recommend in a particular manner to their observation the goodness of God in the year now drawing to a conclusion in which the Confederation of the United States has been completed,

In which there have been so many instances of prowess and success in our armies, particularly in the southern states, where, notwithstanding the difficulties with which they had to struggle, they have recovered the whole country which the enemy had overrun, leaving them only a post or two on or near the sea,

In which we have been so powerfully and effectually assisted by our allies, while in all the unjust operations, the most perfect harmony has subsisted in the allied army: In which there has been so plentiful a harvest, and so great abundance of the fruits of the earth of every kin, as not only enable us easily to supply the wants of our army, but gives comfort and happiness to the whole people,

And in which, after the success of our allies by sea, a general of the first rank with his whole army has been captured by the allied forces under the direction of our commander-in-chief.

It is therefore recommended to the several states to set apart the THIRTEENTH day of DECEMBER next, to be religiously observed as a day of THANKSGIVING and PRAYER; that all the people may assemble on that day with grateful hearts to celebrate the praises of our glorious Benefactor, to confess our manifold sins, to offer up our most fervent supplications to the God of all grace that it may please Him to pardon our offense, and incline our hearts for the future, to keep all His laws, to comfort and relieve all our brethren who are in distress or captivity, to prosper our husbandmen, and give strength to all engaged in lawful commerce; to impart wisdom and integrity to our counselors, judgment and fortitude to our officers and soldiers; to protect and prosper our illustrious ally and favor our united exertions for the speedy establishment of a safe, honorable, and lasting peace, to bless our seminaries of learning, and cause the knowledge of God to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.

Done in Congress the 26th day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, and in the sixth year of the Independence of America.

 

Thomas McKean, President.

Attest, Charles Thomson, Secretary.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1780, Massachusetts

John Hancock (1737-1793) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the president of the Continental Congress, and governor of Massachusetts. It was during his time as governor that he issued the following November 8, 1780 proclamation declaring a day of Thanksgiving for December 7, 1780.

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By His Excellency
John Hancock, Esq.;

Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A PROCLAMATION,
For a Day of THANKSGIVING

 

Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God, the Father of all Mercies, amidst the Vicissitudes and Calamities of War, to bestow Blessing on the People of these States, which call for their devout and thankful Acknowledgments; more especially in the late remarkable Interposition of His watchful Providence, in rescuing the Person of our Commander in Chief, and the Army, from imminent Dangers, at the Moment when Treason was ripened for Execution; in prospering the labors of the Husbandmen, and causing the earth to yield its Increase in plentiful Harvests; and above all, in continuing to us the Enjoyment of the Gospel of Peace:

I do therefore, by and with the Advice of the Council, recommend to the good People of this Commonwealth, to set apart THURSDAY the Seventh Day of December next, (the Day recommended by the Congress of the States) to be observed as a Day of public THANKSGIVING and PRAYER:— That all the People may assemble on that Day, to celebrate the Praises of our Divine Benefactor,—to confess our Unworthiness of the least of his Favors,—and to offer our fervent Supplications to the GOD of all Grace, that it may please Him to pardon our heinous Transgressions, and incline our Hearts for the future to keep all his Laws,—to comfort and relieve our Brethren who are in any wise afflicted or distressed,—to smile upon our Husbandry and Trade,—to direct our public Councils,—and lead our Forces by Land and Sea to Victory,—to take our illustrious Ally under His special Protection, and favor our joint Councils and Exertions for the Establishment of speedy and permanent Peace,—to cherish all Schools and Seminaries of Education,—and to cause the Knowledge of Christianity to spread over all the Earth.

Given at the Council-Chamber in Boston, the Eighth Day of November, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty, and in the Fifth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

JOHN HANCOCK.

By His Excellency’s Command,
John Avery, Sec’y

God save the People of the United States.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1779, Pennsylvania

Joseph Reed (1741-1785) was born in New Jersey; graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton) in 1757; and practiced law in New Jersey and Philadelphia. He served in the American army as aide-de-camp and secretary to George Washington (1775) and as Adjutant General (1776-1777). Reed was a member of the Continental Congress in 1778 where he signed the Articles of Confederation. He served as President (Governor) of Pennsylvania from 1778-1781.

Joseph Reed issued the following proclamation on November 29, 1779 as president of Pennsylvania declaring December 9, 1779 a day of Thanksgiving. The text and image of this proclamation is taken from The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser published on November 30, 1779.

By His EXCELLENCY
JOSEPH REED, Esquire,
President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America, by their resolve of the twentieth day of October last, did recommend in the following words, to wit:

“WHEREAS it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise, for the wonders which His goodness has wrought in conducting our forefathers to this Western world; for His protection to them and to their prosperity, amid difficulties and dangers; for raising us their children from deep distress, to be numbered among the nations of the earth; and for arming the hands of just and mighty Princes in our deliverance; and especially for that He hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandman and spreading plenty thro’ the land; that He hath prospered our arms and those of our ally, been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe that He hath gone with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that He hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back His meditated destruction, that He hath prospered our commerce and given success to those who fought the enemy on the face of the deep; and above all, that He hath diffused the glorious light of the Gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of His eternal glory. Therefore,

“RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several States to appoint THURSDAY the ninth of December next, to be a day of public and solemn THANKSGIVING to Almighty God, for His mercies, and of PRAYER, for the continuance of His favor and protection to these United States; to beseech Him that He would be graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom from on high, with unanimity, firmness and success, that He would go forth with our hosts and crown our arms with victory; that He would grant to His Church the plentiful effusions of Divine grace, and pour out His Holy Spirit on all Ministers of the Gospel; that He would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; that He would smile upon the labors of His people and cause the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance, that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that He would take into His Holy protection our illustrious Ally, give him victory over his enemies, and render him signally great, as the father of his people, and the protector of the rights of mankind; that He would graciously be pleased to turn the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending nations; that He would in mercy look down upon us, pardon all our sins, and receive us into His favor; and, finally, that He would establish the Independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support and protect them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety.”

WHEREFORE, as well in respect of the said recommendation of Congress, as the plain dictates of duty, to acknowledge the favor and goodness of Providence, and implore Its further protection: We Do hereby earnestly recommend to the good people of Pennsylvania, to set apart THURSDAY, the ninth day of December next, for the pious purposes expressed in the said resolve; and that they abstain from all labor on that day.

GIVEN under the Hand of His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq; President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, and in the Fourth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

JOSEPH REED, President.

Attest, T. MATLACK, Secretary.

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1778, New Hampshire

Following is the handwritten New Hampshire Thanksgiving proclamation issued by the state President Meshech Weare (signed by him and John Langdon) on November 19, 1778, declaring December 10, 1778 the day of Thanksgiving. The transcription of this proclamation has been updated to include modern grammar and spelling.

Meshech Weare (1713-1786), graduated from Harvard in 1735 and practiced law. He was a member of the state legislature for many years (serving as speaker in 1752), he was a member of the Albany Congress in 1754, and served as justice of the state Supreme Court – where he became chief justice in 1777. During the Revolutionary War, he was a member of the executive council, chairman of the committee of safety, and president of New Hampshire from 1776 through the end of the Revolutionary War and again in 1784-1785.

John Langdon (1741-1819) had a long career in public service. During the Revolution War years he: served in the Continental Congress (1775-1776), superintended construction of several warships, served as speaker of his state’s House of Representatives, was a State senator (1784), and President of New Hampshire (1785, 1788). After the Revolution he was: a signer of the United States Constitution, a member of New Hampshire’s ratifying convention for the Constitution, and a United States senator (1789-1801) where he served as the first President pro tempore for a brief time. He also served in his state’s legislature (1801-1805) where, for his last two terms, he was the Speaker; and was Governor of New Hampshire (1805-1808, 1810-1811).

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Proclamation for a Public Thanksgiving.
The mercies which, notwithstanding our great Unworthiness, we are constantly receiving at the Hands of Almighty God, ought ever to remind us of our obligations to him; and it becomes our especial duty at the Close of a year, to unite together in rendering thanks to the Divine Dispenser of all good for the bounties of his providence conferred on us in the course thereof.

We have therefore thought fit to appoint and accordingly do appoint Thursday the Tenth day of December next to be observed as a day of Public Thanksgiving throughout this state – hereby calling upon Ministers and People of all Denominations to meet for religious Worship on said day and Devoutly to offer up their unfeigned Praises to Almighty God, the Source and Benevolent bestower of all good, who in the midst of Judgment hath been graciously pleased to remember great mercy – for his affording the necessary means of Subsistence though our commerce has been so greatly obstructed in that such a measure of health has been and is still enjoyed among us – that the lives of our officers and soldiers has been preserved – that, notwithstanding the threatening aspects of Providence the last summer he hath dispensed to us the Fruits of the earth in such quantity, as will enable us cheerfully to wait his further Bounty – That the attempts of our enemies have in a great measure proved abortive – That our rights and privileges, both civil and Religious, are yet presented to us, notwithstanding all the Endeavors of our barbarous Enemies to deprive us of them.

At the same time, to offer up humble and fervent Prayers to Almighty God for these free Sovereign and Independent States. That he would commiserate us in our present Distresses, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies – That he would enable us to recover our rights and Properties by them unjustly invaded – That he would keep all Sin out of our camps, as well as from the whole Community, and make us a penitent and reformed people – That he would Inspire our officers with conduct and resolution, and our soldiers with faithfulness and courage; and that as the Captain of our Salvation, he would lead them on to Success and Victory – That he would graciously Divest our the Counsels and prosper the Just arms of these States for restoring and establishing Peace – and that the divine Promises and predictions of the universal and Spiritual Reign of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the prince of Peace, may be speedily accomplished. –

And all Servile Labor is forbidden on Said day.

State of New Hampshire November 19th, 1778
By order of the Council and Assembly
E. Thompson Secry

M Weare President

John Langdon Speaker

God save the United States of America.

Proclamation – America Seeks God in a Time of War – 1777

In light of America’s war in Iraq and war against terrorism, the actions of our Founding Fathers in times of war are instructive. This is the text of the first national day of thanksgiving in America (set for December 18, 1777), declared by the Continental Congress on November 1, 1777.

IN CONGRESS

November 1, 1777

FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of; And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence, but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defence and Establishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a Measure to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops and to crown our Arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise; That with one Heart and one Voice the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour, and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD, through the Merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole; to inspire our Commanders both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE; That it may please him to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People and the Labour of the Husbandman, that our Land may yet yield its Increase; To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand, and to prosper the Means of Religion for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom which consisteth “in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.”

And it is further recommended, that servile Labour, and such Recreation as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion.

Extract from the Minutes,

Charles Thomson, Secr.

[This proclamation can be found in: Journals of the American Congress From 1774 to 1788 (Washington: Way and Gideon, 1823), II:309-310]

 

This is text excerpted from a national fast declared by the Continental Congress on March 16, 1776:

IN CONGRESS

In times of impending calamity and distress; when the liberties of America are imminently endangered by the secret machinations and open assaults of an insidious and vindictive administration, it becomes the indispensable duty of these hitherto free and happy colonies, with true penitence of heart, and the most reverent devotion, publickly to acknowledge the over ruling providence of God; to confess and deplore our offences against him; and to supplicate his interposition for averting the threatened danger, and prospering our strenuous efforts in the cause of freedom, virtue, and posterity.

. . . Desirous, at the same time, to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God’s superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely, in all their lawful enterprizes, on his aid and direction, Do earnestly recommend, that Friday, the Seventeenth day of May next, be observed by the said colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies; . . . that it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success: Earnestly beseeching him to bless our civil rulers, and the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions; to preserve and strengthen their union, to inspire them with an ardent, disinterested love of their country; to give wisdom and stability to their counsels; and direct them to the most efficacious measures for establishing the rights of America on the most honourable and permanent basis—That he would be graciously pleased to bless all his people in these colonies with health and plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of pure undefiled religion, may universally prevail; and this continent be speedily restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them inviolate to the latest posterity.

And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations, to assemble for public worship, and abstain from servile labour on the said day.

[Source: Journals of the American Congress From 1774 to 1788 (Washington: Way and Gideon, 1823), I:286-287]

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1775, Massachusetts

This is a proclamation given by the city council of Watertown, Massachusetts for a day of Thanksgiving as printed in The Pennsylvania Evening Post. The proclamation was issued on November 4, 1775 for the day of Thanksgiving on November 23, 1775.

A Proclamation For A Public Thanksgiving.

proclamation-thanksgiving-day-1775-massachusetts-1Although in consequence of the unnatural, cruel, and barbarous measures, adopted and pursued by the British Administration, great and distressing calamities are brought upon our oppressed country, and on this colony in particular; we feel the dreadful effects of Civil War, by which America is stained with the blood of her valiant sons, who have bravely fallen in the laudable Defense of our Rights and Privileges;— Our Capital, once the Seat of Justice, Opulence and Virtue, is unjustly wrested from its proper Owners, who are obliged to free from the Iron Hand of Tyranny, or are held in the unrelenting Arms of Oppression:—Our seaports greatly distressed, and Towns burnt by the Foes, who have acted the Part of barbarous Incendiaries. —And although the wise and holy Governor of the World, has in his righteous Providence, sent Droughts into this Colony, and wasting Sickness into many of our Towns; yet we have the greatest Reason to adore and praise the Supreme Disposer of Events, who deals infinitely better with us than we deserve; and amidst all his Judgments hath remembered Mercy, by causing the Voice of Hezlin again to be heard amongst us;— Instead of Famine, affording to an ungrateful People a Competency of the Necessaries and Comforts for Life; in remarkably preserving and protecting our Troops, when in apparent Danger, while our Enemies, with all their boasted Skill and Strength, have met with Loss, Disappointment, and Defeat;— and in the Course of his good Providence, the Father of Mercies hath bestowed upon us, many other Favors, which call for our grateful Acknowledgment:
proclamation-thanksgiving-day-1775-massachusetts-2Therefore,
We have thought fit, with the Advice of the Council and House of Representatives, to appoint Thursday the Twenty-third Day of November Instant, to be observed as a Day of public THANKSGIVING, throughout this Colony; hereby calling upon Ministers and People, to meet for religious Worship in said Day, and devoutly to offer up their unfeigned Praises to Almighty God, the Source and benevolent Bestower of all Good, for his affording the necessary Means of Subsistence, though our Commerce has been prevented, and the Supplies from the Fishery denied us.— That such a Measure of Health is enjoyed among us; that the Lives of our Officers and Soldiers have been so remarkably preserved, while our Enemies have fell before them;— That the vigorous Efforts which have been used to excite the Savage Vengeance of the Wilderness, and rouse the Indians to Arms, that an unavoidable Destruction might come upon our Frontiers, have been almost miraculously defeated;—That our unnatural Enemies, instead of Ravaging the Country with uncontrolled Sway, are confined within such narrow Limits, to their own Mortification and Distress, environed by an American Army, brave an determined; — That such a Band of union founded upon the sect Principles, unites the American Colonists;—that our Rights and Privileges, both Civil and Religious, are so far preserved to us, notwithstanding all the Attempts of our barbarous Enemies to deprive us of them—

And to offer up humble and fervent Prayers to Almighty God, for the Whole British Empire; especially for the United American Colonies; —that he would bless our Civil Rulers, and lead them into wise and prudent Measures in this dark, and difficult Day:— That he would endow our General Course with all that Wisdom which is profitable to direct:— That he would graciously Smile upon our Endeavor to restore Peace, preserve our rights and Privileges, and hand them down to Posterity:—That he would give Wisdom to the American Congress, equal to their important Station:— That he would direct the Generals, and the American Armies, wherever employed, and give them Success and Victory:— That he would preserve and strengthen the Harmony of the United Colonies:—That he would pour our his Spirit upon all Orders of Men, through the Land, bring us to a hearty Repentance and Reformation; purity and sanctify all his Churches:— That he would make Ours Emanuel’s Land:— That he would spread the knowledge of the Redeemer through the whole Earth, and fill the World with his Glory.And all servile Labor is forbidden on said Day.

Given under our Hands at the Council-Chamber, in Watertown, this Fourth Day of November, in the Year of the Lord, One Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy-five,

By their Honor’s command, PEREZ MORTON, Dep. Sec.

James Otis, W. Spooner, Caleb Cushing, Joseph Gerrish, John Whetcome, Jedediah Foster, James Prescott, Eldad Taylor, Benjamin Lincoln, Michael Farley, Joseph Palmer, Samuel Holten, Jabez Fisher, Moses Gill, Benjamin White.

GOD Save the PEOPLE.

American Revolution – Letter by James Caldwell

Rev. James Caldwell was a chaplain during the American Revolution. Below is a letter Caldwell wrote during that time.

 

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Albany June 11, 1776

My dearest

I have nothing new to write – Nor time of that. Tomorrow I leave this with the remainder of our Baggage with instructions for our Battalion.
We are to be employed up the Mohawk River. A scene as agreeable as we can expect war to be – I hope by the divine blessing very useful.

I send you a pattern for a gown, which I met with yesterday, & which is thought a very great beauty. It cost £3.02 – which is very cheap compared with other things.
I shall take care that all letters left with Mr. Henry [Mercer] in Albany, shall be conveyed with speed to me. Let Mrs. Dayton know this – that her husband is well & in high esteem.

Help the dear Children. I give love to all friends

Given in the tenderest bonds

James Caldwell

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1871

This it the text of President Ulysses S. Grant October 23, 1871 national Thanksgiving Proclamation; as printed in the Painesville Telegraph, November 2, 1871.

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Proclamation by the President
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The procession of the seasons has again enabled the husbandman to garner the fruits of successful toil. Industry has been generally well awarded. We are at peace with all nations, and tranquility, with few exceptions, prevails at home. Within the past year we have in the main been free from the ills which elsewhere have affected our kind.

If some of us have had calamities, there should be an occasion for sympathy with the sufferers, of resignation on their part to the will of the Most High, and of rejoicing to the many who have been more favored.

I therefore recommend that on Thursday, the 30th day of November next, the people meet in their respective places of worship, and there make the usual acknowledgments to Almighty God for the blessings he has conferred upon them; for their merciful exemption from evil, and invoke His protection and kindness for their less fortunate brethren whom, in His wisdom he has deemed it best to chastise.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington this twenty-eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the ninety-sixth.

By the President,
Ulysses S. Grant.

Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State

Proclamation – Thanksgiving – 1866

Samuel Cony held the office of the Governor of Maine from 1864-1867.He was a graduate of Brown university where he studied law. He held various offices including legislator, judge and Land Agent of the State followed by election as State Treasurer and Mayor of Augusta. His two elections as Governor were won by large majorities. Cony died on October 5, 1870.

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State of Maine

By The Governor

A Proclamation

For A Day Of

Public Thanksgiving and Praise

In obedience to that usage having its origin in a profound sense of obligation and gratitude to the All Wise Power of human events, and hallowed by the most cherished associations, I do, by the advice of the Executive Council, appoint

Thursday, the Twenty-Ninth Day of November
to be observed by the citizens of this State as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise to him for the blessings we have enjoyed during the year that is now hastening to its close.

The continuance of peace in our country while other nations have been afflicted with war; the exemption of our State from that fearful pestilence which have desolated other lands: the bountiful harvests which have crowned the labors of the husbandman, furnishing ample supplies of food for or people, banishing even the apprehension of famine, the cries of which are heard coming up from remote portions of the earth; the great prosperity attending all the varied pursuits of life; the rapid recovery of our country from the wounds of a frightful civil war; the continuance of the blessings of education and the freedom of religious worship; and the manifest purpose of the people this country under sore disappointment that manhood of every complexion and clime shall be recognized within its domain, and impartial justice assured to all, are pregnant causes for thanks and praise.

I therefore invite the citizens of this State to unite according to the custom of our fathers with prayer and anthem to commemorate the return of this festival day, remembering from their abundance the poor and distressed in our midst, to invoke the continuance of Divine Favor and the pardon of our transgressions through the grace of our Lord and Saviour.

Given at the Council Chamber at Augusta, this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the ninety-first.
 

SAMUEL CONY.

By His Excellency The Governor,

EPHRAIM FLINT, Secretary of State.