This is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer issued by John Langdon, a signer of the United States Constitution, while he was serving as governor of New Hampshire. This proclamation was issued on October 10, 1805 and the day of Thanksgiving was to be November 28, 1805.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
A PROCLAMATION.
It has been customary for the citizens of this state, at the recommendations of the supreme executive authority, to set apart a certain day near the close of the year for the purpose of publicly recognizing their dependence upon Almighty God for protection, and that they might express their gratitude to Him for all blessings and mercies received and implore a continuance of them;- I therefore, in conformity to this laudable and long established practice, do by and with the advice of the council, appoint THURSDAY THE TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER NEXT to be observed as a day of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER throughout this state, hereby exhorting the people of all sects and denominations to assemble with their pastors and religious teachers, at their respective places of public worship on that day, and devote a reasonable part thereof in praising and adoring Almighty God, and in offering up our thanks to Him as the great author of every good and perfect gift, for the many favors that he has been pleased to bestow upon us as individuals during the past year; as also fro the gracious exercise of his guardian care over the great and general concerns of our common country. That although the earth has been visited by a severe and early drought, yet that by his blessing we are favored with a competency of the fruits of the field, for the supplies of another year. That we have not been afflicted with those contagious diseases that have visited some of the cities of our sister states, but have enjoyed a general measure of health.
That the life and health of the President of the United States have been preserved; that our civil and religious liberties are secure; and that no internal causes have occurred to disturb the peace and harmony of our land. For the termination of our contest with one of the African powers; the liberation of our fellow-citizens from bondage, and their restoration to the arms of their country, and the sweets of liberty. For his smiles on our commerce, navigation and fisheries, and for that prosperity that has generally prevailed. But above all, for the inestimable blessings of the gospel of peace and salvation, the means of grace and hopes of future glory, through the merits of a crucified Savior.
And while our mouths are filled with praise and thanksgiving, let us supplicate our heavenly benefactor, that he would penetrate our hearts as well with a due sense of his goodness, as of our own unworthiness, and continue to us all the blessings that we now enjoy, and bestow upon us all such addition favors as may be for our good. That he would be pleased to keep the government of the United States under his protection; bless our nations in all its internal and external concerns, and inspire all in authority with wisdom, and with a patriotic regard to its welfare and honor. That he would command the pestilence that now scourges some of the cities of our country to cease its desolations, and make those cities rejoice in the return of health, and in the mercies of the Lord. That he would particularly keep this state under his holy and superintending care, smile upon its agriculture, commerce, and fisheries, and bless the labors of the laborer in every walk and department of life. That he would cherish our university, our academies and schools, and all our institutions for promoting improvements in knowledge, usefulness, and virtue. That he would preside in all our courts and inspire those who make, and those who administer the laws, with his divine wisdom; and make every branch of our civil government sub serve the best interests of the people. That he would bless the means used for the promulgation of his word, and make pure religion and morality more and more abound. And it is hereby earnestly recommended that all persons abstain from labor and recreation unbecoming the solemnities of the day.
Given at the council chamber in Portsmouth, this tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and five, and of the independence of the United States of America, the thirtieth.
JOHN LANGDON
By His Excellency’s Command, with advice of council.
Secretary
It being the duty of a People at all times, to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, and to recollect his Benefits with Gratitude, especially in seasons of Public Peace and Prosperity— and it having been the invariable usage of our pious Ancestors, at the close of the year, to devote a day to the service and praise of that Great and Gracious Being, who is the object of all duty, and whose tender mercies are over all His works:
And together with these grateful acknowledgments, that we humbly confess our unworthiness and present our supplications to God of Mercy, to pardon our multiplied sins, and continue His protection and favor to the United States;— to guide the National and State Governments in ways of integrity and safety; and preserve the People from faction and licentiousness:— To smile upon our University, and Colleges and Schools of Learning; and prosper our Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce:— To promote a spirit of Industry, Sobriety, and Frugality, and the belief and practice of true Religion, that we may have the blessedness of the Nation whose God is the Lord, and the People whom he has chosen for His own inheritance:— That the World may become more worthy of happiness, by the prevalence of humanity and benevolent affections among all the inhabitants of the Earth:— That the peaceful Kingdom of the Redeemer may prevail universally, without rivalship or opposition; and that there may be none to hurt or destroy.
WHEREAS it is the indispensable duty of all Men to acknowledge Almighty GOD as the fountain of mercies, and the giver of every good gift; and it becomes us at the close of the year, to unite in rendering thanks to Him for the bounties of his Providence conferred upon us as a people.
And, together with our sincere and pious acknowledgments, I do earnestly recommend, the penitent confession of our sins; amendment of our hearts and lives, and humble supplication to GOD, for His further aid, protection and blessing:—That He would especially be pleased to endue the administrators of the federal constitution, and of this, and the other States in the Union, with sound wisdom and understanding; the fear of GOD, and love of their country, and a single aim to preserve and promote the liberty, prosperity and happiness of the people: And that He would grant to all, a spirit of truth, and discernment; a due regard to every wise administration, and to the importance of internal peace and Union:—To afford His further smiles on our agriculture, fisheries, commerce, and all the labor of our hands;—To guide and direct the University, and all schools and seminaries of learning, so that our children and youth, by a wholesome education, may be deeply impressed with the principles of true religion, and solid virtue.—That He would be pleased to afford His almighty aid to all people, and more especially the French Nation, who are virtuously struggling for their just and equal rights. And finally, that He would be pleased to overrule the commotions and confusions that are in the earth, to the speedy downfall of tyranny and oppression, so that the kingdom of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST may be established in Peace and Righteousness, among all the Nations of the Earth.
