Categories: Proclamations

This is the text of a proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving, Praise and Prayer, issued by Elbridge Gerry (Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Framer of the Bill of Rights), while he was serving as governor of Massachusetts. The proclamation was issued on October 22, 1811 and was declaring November 21, 1811 to be the day of Thanksgiving.

“The Lord reigneth, let the earth,” let all creation, “rejoice.” The innumerable blessings conferred by our divine benefactor, during the present and in every preceding year, on the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, proclaim their duty, to offer to Him, at all times, with unbounded gratitude, their cheerful acknowledgments of His perpetual favors. To implore, with the deepest humility, His pardon of their multiplied and aggravated offenses, to resolve, with unfeigned sincerity, on an implicit obedience to His sovereign will, and to supplicate, with true devotion, His indispensable aid, in every religious, moral, and lawful pursuit.

Impressed by these considerations, and by the usage of our venerable Ancestors, at the close of harvest, I have thought fit, by the advice of the council, to appoint, and I do hereby appoint THURSDAY, the TWENTY-FIRST of NOVEMBER next, to be a day of Public THANKSGIVING, PRAISE, and PRAYER, throughout this Commonwealth; calling on and requesting the ministers and people of every religious denomination, to meet on that day in their respective sanctuaries, that with unanimity and fervor, we may present our unfeigned praises for all the mercies we have received of our Bountiful Creator, who has continued to us the inestimable blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, blessings not confined to time, but extended to eternity, who has confirmed to us our federal and State constitutions, which secure the enjoyment of our lives, liberties and property, who continues to bless us with a National Government and Administration, whose wisdom, virtue, and firmness have not been circumvented, corrupted or appalled by the arts, seductions, or threats of foreign or domestic foes, but whose patriotic efforts have uniformly and manifestly resulted from an ardent desire to promote the public welfare and happiness, who has not punished our ungrateful murmurs, discontents and other crimes, as He has those of distant nations, by war and its dire effects; but has preserved to us peace, the greatest of national blessings, who has favored us with a Clergy, (with few exceptions,) whose conduct, is influenced by the mild, benign and benevolent principles of the Gospel; and whose example is a constant admonition to such pastors and professors of Christianity, as are too much under the guidance of passion, prejudice, and worldly delusion, Who has enabled us from unavoidable spoliations to derive permanent benefits, by gradually diminishing our dependence on foreign markets, for necessary supplies; by rapidly increasing our manufactures thereof; and by thus preventing in future the plunder of such property by avaricious nations, who has not visited us, as He has other countries, with plague, pestilence or famine; but has kindly preserved to us a great degree of health, and crowned with plenty the labors of our industrious husbandmen, Who has increased the martial ardor and discipline of our militia, and enables us to smile at the menaces of mighty potentates, Who continues to us the due administration of justice, the full and free exercise of our civil religious rights, and the numerous blessing which have resulted from them, Who has prospered in a remarkable degree our Schools, Academies and Colleges; those inestimable sources of public information and happiness, who has protected so great a portion of the property of our merchants, when exposed to the depredations of perfidious governments, Who has granted success to our enterprising fishermen, prospered our ingenious mechanics, and loaded us with His boundless munificence.

And whilst with circumscribed views, we contemplate that Incomprehensible Being whose infinite wisdom and power are displayed in the creation, formation, combination and government of all material substances, animate or inanimate, minute or massive, and in the order and offices prescribed for and performed by the various parts of the Universe, Whose omnipresence is excluded, by neither spirit or matter; but fills all creation and space, let us acknowledge our dependence on His infinite goodness and mercy, for every moment of our existence; consider that all our thoughts, words and actions are open to His view; be convinced that in His presence we are mere nullities; and approach Him with solemn awe and reverence, whilst we humbly solicit, that He will freely pardon our numberless sins and iniquities, that He will be pleased to continue to us the unmerited favors, spiritual and temporal, which we now enjoy, that He will extend throughout the globe, the celestial blessing of the gospel of Christ, that He will place our National and State governments under His wise and holy protection; and direct them always to pursue the true interest and happiness of the people, that He will revive, increase, and protect our commerce, and continue His smiles on our husbandmen, manufacturers, mechanics, fishermen, and every description and individual of the inhabitants of this State and Nation, that He will preserve in health, and long continue the valuable life of the President of United States, that He will restore to the citizens of this commonwealth those indispensable sources of enjoyment and happiness, their wonted benevolence and affection for each other, long interrupted by political, casual, and uncontrollable events, that He will promote the progress of useful arts and sciences, that He will declare to the mighty warriors and destroyers of human felicity, “thus far has thou gone, but thou shalt go no farther,” and, that health, peace, and happiness may pervade all nations of the earth.

And I do earnestly recommend to the Citizens of the Commonwealth to enjoy this festival rationally, and to abstain from unnecessary labor, and from recreations inconsistent with their duty on that day.

Given at the council chamber in Boston this twenty-second day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and in the thirty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States.

E. GERRY.

By His Excellency the Governor, with the
advice and consent of the Council.

BENJAMIN HOMANS, Secretary.

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This proclamation was issued by Rhode Island’s lieutenant-governor, Isaac Wilbour on November 3, 1806 as printed in the Newport Mercury. It was proclaiming a day of Thanksgiving and Praise on November 27, 1806.

WHEREAS the General Assembly of the State aforesaid, on the First day of November inst. passed the following Resolutions, to wit:

“WHEREAS all men are sharers in the bounties of GOD: it is therefore their duty to acknowledge, with humility, their sense of His goodness, and with grateful hearts to render to Him their thanks for the same.

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the people of this State, to observe THURSDAY, the Twenty-seventh day of November inst. as a day of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That they unite in rendering thanks to the Great Father of all for their being, preservation, and redemption; for their exemption from the miseries of war, to which other nations, less favored at this time exposed; for the means of education, and religious improvement, which they enjoy; for the possession of their liberty; for the privilege of equal laws; for the fruitfulness of the season; and for the health of the people: And to entreat that He would continue to look upon them with an eye of favor: That He would bless the officers of the government of the United States, and of each particular State: That He would give us Grace, duly to appreciate the blessings of a free government, happily administered, and to be duly sensible of the evils that would result from divisions among us: — That He would take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from union and concord: That as there is but one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, and one GOD and Father of us all; so we may henceforth be all of one heart, united in one bond of truth, peace and charity: That He would preserve us against wars from abroad, from wasting sickness, and from the commission of any thing which might offend against His holy Law; and with deep humility and contrition to confess their manifold sins and transgressions.

“Resolved, That it be recommended to the people of the State, to refrain on the said day from all servile labor, and unbecoming recreation.

“Resolved, That his Honor the Lieutenant-Governor be requested to issue his Proclamation, for making public these Resolutions, in the customary manner.”

I DO THEREFORE, pursuant to the above recited Resolutions, issue this Proclamation, to make known the same, that the good people of the State may conform thereto, agreeably to the true intent and meaning thereof.

Given under my hand, and the seal of the said State, at Providence, the third day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six, and of Independence the thirty first.

ISAAC WILBOUR.

By his Honor’s command,
SAMUEL EDDY, Sec’ry.

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

The following proclamation was issued on September 26, 1800 by Caleb Strong as Massachusetts Governor as printed in the Columbian Centinel. This proclamation was for a day of Thanksgiving on November 27, 1800.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency
Caleb Strong, Esquire,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A Proclamation,
For a Day of Public Thanksgiving.

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:

I have therefore though fit, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint THURSDAY, the twenty-seventh day of November next, to be observed by the People of this Commonwealth, as a day of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING,— hereby calling upon the Ministers and People of every denomination, to assemble on the said day, that we may unitedly pay our grateful and affectionate homage to the Author of all Good, for His distinguishing kindness to our Forefathers, and to Us— in providing them a refuge from oppression, and protecting them when surrounded with innumerable dangers— in blessing them with Civil Liberty and the light and influence of the Gospel, and disposing them to nurture their Posterity in the love of Learning, Virtue and rational Freedom: In supporting us through the difficulties of the late Revolution, and giving us wisdom to establish Constitutions favorable to Liberty and Happiness. In prospering the administration of Government, and preserving the important life of the Chief Magistrate of the Union— In exempting us, during the last year, from the calamities of War, and from wasting sickness and every desolating Judgment; and in succeeding the labors of the Husbandman, and crowning the year with its Fruits:— and for that degree of protection and prosperity which He has been pleased to afford to our Commerce, Navigation and Fishery:— For the progress of Literature and the useful Arts:— For the numerous bounties of His Providence, and all that variety which supports or delights our lives;— and especially for the blessings of the Gospel of His Son, who has brought life and immorality to light.

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.

And I earnestly recommend to the people of this State, to abstain from all labor and recreation unsuitable to the solemnities of the said day.

Given at the Council Chamber in Boston, this twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand and eight hundred; and in the twenty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

Caleb Strong.

By His Excellency’s command, with the advice and consent of the Council.

JOHN AVERY, Secretary.

God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!

The following proclamation was issued by Increase Sumner as Governor of Massachusetts on October 23, 1797 as printed in the Columbian Centinel. It was proclaiming a day of Thanksgiving and Praise on November 30, 1797.

In imitation of so pious and laudable an example, I have thought fit to appoint a public commemoration of the divine mercies, particularly of those which crown the closing year; and for this sacred purpose, I do, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, appoint THURSDAY the Thirtieth of November next, a day of Thanksgiving and Praise throughout this Commonwealth — Calling upon Ministers and People of every denomination, religiously and joyfully to observe the said day, by assembling in their respective places of public worship and offering their united praises to the Great Benefactor of their country, and the author of every blessing.

Through his adorable and munificent Providence, the Seasons have been favorable — the labors of the husbandman successful, and the fruits of the earth abundant. — Through his indulgence, our Fisheries have prospered — our Commerce, although unjustifiably interrupted has not been annihilated, but in many instances has succeeded; and the efforts of industry have been rewarded. Under his protection, internal peace and tranquility have blessed the Commonwealth, and the voice of health and plenty, been generally heard in our dwellings. Through his unmerited goodness, we continue to enjoy Constitutions of government, by which our rights civil and sacred, are effectually secured, and by his favor the important life of the President of the United States has been continued. — While other nations have been suffering all the horrors and distresses of Wat [sic], under his watchful providence we have been preserved from so grievous a calamity. And through the forbearance of God we are still favored with the Christian religion — a religion which inculcates peace on earth and good will among men — a religion highly propitious to republican happiness, whilst it reveals a future and most glorious state for the righteous.

Together with the celebration of Divine Mercies, which ought to penetrate the hearts of a prospered people, I do recommend the most ingenuous confession of Sins, and the most fervent supplications to the Author of all our enjoyments, that we may display our gratitude, by a steady course of obedience — That through his wife and gracious influence, the negotiations for Peace may be so over ruled as that the lasting tranquility of the nations in Europe, and of the United States of America may be established, and oppression and disorder every where cease: — That he would so direct the Administration of our Federal Government, and that of the different States in the Union, as to promote the Peace and true interest of our Nation: — That we sensible of the Blessings and ensured by our Civil System might be disposed to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all Godliness and Honesty: —That God would protect our Trade and Navigation from unreasonable obstructions — would give success to our Agriculture, Fisheries and Manufactures, and continue His smiles to our University and other Seminaries of useful Learning — That he would afford his protection and blessing to these United States, and not suffer any weapon formed against them to prosper.

Whilst with lively gratitude we acknowledge the great decree of health and enjoyed in this Commonwealth, it is recommended to remember with sympathy such of our friends in some of the United States, as have been distressed by contagious mortal diseases; and to supplicate the Father of Mercies that health and prosperity may be speedily and universally restored. Finally that all Mankind under the Scepter of the Prince of Peace, may be animated with the noble spirit of his religion; be enabled to pursue with united affections, their common interest: Be convinced of their mutual dependence, and of the absolute dependence of all, on the Universal Parent.

I further recommend to the citizens of the Commonwealth to suspend such labors and recreations as may not be consistent with the Solemnity of the said Day.

Given at the Council Chamber, in Boston this twenty-third Day of October, in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-seven; and in the twenty second Year of the Independence of the United States of AMERICA.

INCREASE SUMNER.
Attest. JOHN AVERY, Secretary.

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!