Founding Fathers Archives - Page 10 of 17

Celebrating the Constitution

The Convention of 1787 was the capstone in a chain of events that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

America’s first attempt at a national governing document was in 1777 with the Articles of Confederation.¹ It went into effect in 1781, but its deficiencies were quickly apparent,² so in 1786, the Annapolis Convention called for a body to assemble to address its many weaknesses.³ What is known as the Constitutional Convention then gathered in Philadelphia in 1787.⁴

The debates on the Constitution did not go smoothly at first. In fact, Benjamin Franklin recommended they begin daily prayers to help the process along.⁵ Eventually they came together to produce the Constitution — the most successful governing document in world history. It was signed on September 17, 1787,⁶ a day we now celebrate as “Constitution Day.” Many delegates expressed their belief that writing the Constitution would not have been possible without the Divine aid they personally witnessed and openly acknowledged. Alexander Hamilton said:

For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests.⁷

James Madison agreed:

It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it the finger of the Almighty Hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the Revolution.⁸

Benjamin Franklin and George Washington also expressed similar convictions.⁹

Many delegates involved with writing the Constitution were trained in theology or ministry,¹⁰ including Abraham Baldwin, James Wilson, Hugh Williamson, Oliver Ellsworth and others. The Constitution was then sent to the states to be ratified,¹¹ and about four dozen clergymen were elected from among the various states as delegates to ratify the Constitution.¹² The influence of Biblical faith on that document was apparent, and under it, Americans have been blessed!

As President Calvin Coolidge affirmed:

[T]he more I study [the Constitution], the more I have come to admire it, realizing that no other document devised by the hand of man ever brought so much progress and happiness to humanity.¹³ To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that has ever occurred to the human race.¹⁴

Because the Constitution is such a unique and remarkable document, federal law requires that every year on Constitution Day, all public schools must hold a special program on the Constitution.¹⁵ Sadly, few schools follow this law. But that should not keep every citizen from celebrating that document. Each of us should read and know that document, and teach it to others. So read the Constitution for yourself, and check out these resources that can be used in public schools to teach the Constitution on Constitution Day.¹⁶ Share this information with schools, educators, and students around you!

Endnotes

¹ “Articles of Confederation: Primary Documents in American History,” Library of Congress, accessed December 13, 2023.
² See, for example, “Policies and Problems of the Confederation Government,” Library of Congress, accessed December 13, 2023; “Defencies of the Confederation,” The Founders Constitution.
³ “Appendix A: The Annapolis Convention,” Soldier-Statesmen of the Constitution (Washington, DC: Center of Military History, 1987), 265.
⁴ “The Constitution: How Did it Happen?” National Archives, accessed December 13, 2023.
⁵ James Madison’s Notes on the Convention, June 28, 1787, Max Farrand, The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1911), I:450-452.
⁶ “Constitution of the United States: Primary Documents in American History,” Library of Congress, accessed December 13, 2023.
⁷ Alexander Hamilton to Mr. Childs, Wednesday, October 17, 1787, The Federalist and Other Contemporary Papers on the Constitution of the United States, ed. E.H. Scott (New York: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1894), 646.
⁸ James Madison, Federalist #37, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, & James Madison, The Federalist (Philadelphia: Benjamin Warner, 1818), 194.
⁹ Benjamin Franklin, “A Comparison of the Conduct of the Ancient Jews and of the Anti-Federalists in the United States of America,” The Works of Benjamin Franklin, ed. Jared Sparks (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore, and Mason, 1837), V:162; George Washington to Marquis de Lafayette, February 7, 1788, The Writings of George Washington, ed. Jared Sparks (Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Metcalf, 1835), IX:317.
¹⁰ See WallBuilders article, “No Professor Fea, the Founders Did Not Want Ministers to Stay out of Politics.”
¹¹ “Observing Constitution Day,” National Archives, accessed December 13, 2023.
¹² See WallBuilders article, “No Professor Fea, the Founders Did Not Want Ministers to Stay out of Politics.”
¹³ Calvin Coolidge, “Autobiography of College Days,” Hearst’s International Combined with Cosmopolitan (NY: International Magazine Company, August 1929), LXXXVII:2:37.
¹⁴ James M. Beck, “What is the Constitution?” Our World Weekly (March 16, 1925), II:7:102.
¹⁵ “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” US Code.
¹⁶ “Constitution Day Teacher Resources,” Library of Congress; “Teachers Guide: Commemorating Constitution Day,” National Endowment for the Humanities; “Commemorating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day,” US Department of Education.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1789

This is the text of George Washington’s October 3, 1789 national Thanksgiving Proclamation; as printed in The Providence Gazette and Country Journal, on October 17, 1789. (See another national Thanksgiving proclamation issued by George Washington in 1795.)

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1784, 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 October 28, 1784 proclamation declaring a day of Thanksgiving for November 25, 1784. The proclamation text and image is taken from Thomas’s Massachusetts Spy dated November 11, 1784.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
By His Excellency, JOHN HANCOCK, Esquire,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
A PROCLAMATION,
For a Day of THANKSGIVING.

It being our indispensable duty as a people, in a public and religious manner, to acknowledge the preserving and Governing providence of Almighty God, and more especially to celebrate the Divine Goodness in the various blessings conferred upon us in the course of the year past.

I have therefore thought fit, with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint, and do hereby appoint THURSDAY the Twenty-Fifth Day of NOVEMBER next, to be religiously observed as a Day of THANKSGIVING throughout this Commonwealth; hereby calling upon Ministers and people of all denominations, in their several assemblies, to unite with grateful hearts in celebrating the Praises of Almighty GOD, of His great goodness and bounty vouchsafed [given] to a sinful and unworthy people; particularly for the great and signal interpositions of His Providence in behalf of the United States in the course of the late contest, and that after being rescued from the dangers and calamities of war; peace has been restored to us, and that our public affairs are in so promising and happy a situation; for granting to us a plentiful harvest in the great abundance of the fruits of the earth; for the general health enjoyed throughout this State during the course of the year, and preventing epidemical and mortal distempers from spreading among us; reviving our trade, navigation and fishery and protecting the same from the insults of Pirates and other disasters; for directing and succeeding our public Councils, and above all for continuing to us the light of the blessed Gospel, and securing to us our religious and civil liberties and privileges. And to join with their praises their earnest and humble supplications to Almighty GOD, for the pardon of our past ingratitude and other transgressions; and that He would grant that all instances of the Divine goodness may have an effectual influence for working a general reformation in all orders of persons among us; that so we may be that happy people, whose GOD is the LORD, and that ALL nations may bow to the scepter of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, and that the whole Earth may be filled with His Glory.

GIVEN at the Council-Chamber in Boston, the 28th day of October, in the Year of our Lord, one Thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, and in the ninth year of the Independence of the United Sates of America.

JOHN HANCOCK.

By his Excellency’s Command,
JOHN AVERY, Jun. Secretary
GOD save the Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1782

Here is the text of a Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving issued by John Hanson, while serving as President of the Continental Congress, on October 11, 1782. The Day of Thanksgiving took place on November 28, 1782. This proclamation was published in The Independent Gazetteer; or, the Chronicle of Freedom on November 5, 1782.

By the United States in Congress assembled,
PROCLAMATION.

It being the indispensable duty of all nations, not only to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver of all good, for His gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner, to give Him praise for His goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of His Providence in their behalf; therefore, the Unites States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of Divine goodness to these States in the course of the important conflict, in which they have been so long engaged, – the present happy and promising state of public affairs, and the events of the war in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils which is so necessary to the success of the public cause, – the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them, – the success of the arms of the United States and those of their allies, – and the acknowledgment of their Independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States; Do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe and request the several states to interpose their authority, in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER next as a day of SOLEMN THANKSGIVING to GOD for all His mercies; and they do further recommend to all ranks to testify their gratitude to God for His goodness by a cheerful obedience to His laws and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President.

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

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.

By the United States, in Congress
Assembled.

PROCLAMATION.

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.

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 – 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 – 1794, Massachusetts

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) helped organize the Boston Tea party (1773), was a state legislator in Massachusetts (1765-1774), and served in the Continental Congress (1774-1781) where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Adams served as governor of Massachusetts from 1794-1797.

During Samuel Adams’ time as governor he issued many proclamations, including the following October 15, 1794 proclamation for a day of Thanksgiving on November 20, 1794. The text and image of the proclamation came from the Columbian Centinel published on October 29, 1794.

By Authority,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.By the GOVERNOR. A Proclamation, for a Day of THANKSGIVING.

As it hath pleased Almighty God to continue to the people of this Commonwealth great and unmerited Favors in the course of the year past; it is highly becoming, that after the example of our pious and renowned ancestors, a day should be set apart, at this season of the year, for the special purpose of rendering to the Father of all mercies the just tribute of gratitude and praise.

I have therefore thought fit, by and with the advice and consent of the Council, to appoint, and I do accordingly appoint, Thursday, the twentieth day of November next, to be observed throughout this Commonwealth as a Day of Public Thanksgiving And I do hereby call upon the Ministers of religion of every denomination, with their respective Congregations, to assemble on said day; that we may with one accord express the grateful feelings of our hearts; and jointly offer the reasonable sacrifice of praise, to our Divine Benefactor, for His manifold mercies: — He has been pleased to favor us with a good measure of health, while others, whom we ought to pity and pray for, have been visited with contagious and mortal distempers: He has smiled on our agriculture labors, and caused the earth to yield its increase: — He hath prospered our fishery, and in a great measure our merchandise, notwithstanding the depredations of unreasonable despoilers: — He hath continued to us the inestimable blessings of the Gospel, and our religious, as well as civil rights and liberties.

I do also recommend, that on the aforesaid day, humble supplications may be made, that we may enjoy the blessings of the liberty, peace and prosperity and by the grace of God, be enabled to live under a constant impression of our obligations to Him, and by ordering our future conversation aright, prepared for such further needful blessings as it may please Him in His own due time to bestow upon us.

And I do earnestly recommend that all such labor and recreations as are not consistent with the solemnity of the occasion may be carefully suspended on the said day.

Given at the Council-Chamber, in Boston, the fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-four, and in the nineteenth year of the independence of the United States of America.

SAMUEL ADAMS.

Attest. JOHN AVERY, jun. Secretary.

God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Proclamation – Thanksgiving Day – 1793, Pennsylvania

Thomas Mifflin (1744-1800) was born in Philadelphia. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia (the University of Pennsylvania today) and began a career in a counting house. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774-1775 and again in 1782-1784; he enlisted in the American army during the Revolution and was promoted up the ranks to Major General. Thomas Mifflin was serving as President under the Articles of Confederation when George Washington resigned his commission in December 1783. Mifflin was a signer of the United States Constitution in 1787. He served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1790-1799 and died early in 1800.

The following proclamation was issued by Thomas Mifflin on November 14, 1793 as governor of Pennsylvania for a day of Thanksgiving on December 12, 1793. The text and picture of this proclamation is taken from Dunlap’s American Daily Advertiser published on December 6, 1793.

Pennsylvania,
By THOMAS MIFFLIN,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A PROCLAMATION,
Appointing a day of General Humiliation,
Thanksgiving and Prayer.

WHEREAS it hath pleased ALMIGHTY GOD to put an end to the grievous calamity, that recently afflicted the city of Philadelphia, and it is the duty of all, who are truly sensible of the Divine Justice and Mercy, to employ the earliest moments of returning health in devout expressions of penitence submission, and gratitude: THEREFORE I have deemed it proper to issue this Proclamation, hereby appointing THURSDAY, the Twelfth day of December next, to be holden, throughout the Commonwealth, as a DAY OF GENERAL HUMILIATION, THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER AND I earnestly exhort and entreat my Fellow-Citizens to abstain, on that day, from all their worldly avocations [hobbies], and to unite in confessing with contrite hearts, our manifold sins and transgressions; – in acknowledging, with thankful adoration, the mercy and goodness of the Supreme Ruler and Preserver of the universe, – more especially manifested in our late deliverance; – and in praying, with solemn zeal, that the same mighty power would be graciously pleased to instill into our minds just principles of our duty to Him, and to our fellow creatures; – to regulate and guide all our actions by his Holy Spirit; – to avert from all mankind the evils of War, Pestilence, and Famine; – and to bless and protect us in the enjoyment of Civil and Religious Liberty. AND all Officers of the Commonwealth, as well as all Pastors and Teachers are, also, particularly requested to make known the Proclamation, and, by their and advice, to recommend a punctual observance thereof within their respective jurisdictions and congregations; – so that the voice of the people, strengthened by it unanimity, and sanctified by sincerity, ascending to the throne of grace, may there find favour and acceptance.

GIVEN under my Hand and the great Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this Fourteenth day of November, in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three, and of the Independence of America the Eighteenth.

THOMAS MIFFLIN.

By the Governor,
A.J. DALLAS, Secretary of the Commonwealth

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Topics: Founding Fathers