The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-04
THANKSGIVING.


time honored custom, copy the following relative
thereto, from the Boaon Post:
The custom Of observing days Of Thanksgiving
Is as old the settlement Il New England. When
most Of the ships that brought over Wnthrops com
pany had arrived there was KEEP Gully 3, l63o)
public day Of thanksgiving through all the plsnta-
lions, to give thanks to Almighty Gsd, for all me-
goodness and wonderful works, which he company
had seen duling the voyage The succeeding year,
the colonsts were reduced TO the borders oil lAmins
the last batch of bread was in the oven says an oa
record sickness made large part of their disrssses
fast had been appointed on account OF the gloomy
state of the coonists but the timely arrival OF te
Lion, despatched for provisions, induced the asl 70
be exchanged for day of Thanksgiving, February -
1851
Thanksgiving continued TO be appointed from
time to time no, annually but particular occasions
took place, afording special Joy To the people Thus
june Is, 1852 day Of thanksgiving was observed
for the success OF Gusavus the successes OF the pro
testants in Germany, and the safe arrival OF anxious
Iy expected vessels one the 18th of June, 1888,
Tor deverance from the plots OF enemies, and the
arrival Of friends on the 10Th Of August 1854,
for the arrival of ships and the prosperous state OF
the times one on the 18th of June, 1887, for Ma
sons victory the Pequods and one on the 18Th
of September following, for the complete triumph
the Pequods, the successes of the German Fro
testans and the decisions of the first synod ever as
sembed in America which was in session three
weeks, and had concluded to censure and publish
eightytw prevailing errors one on the 7th OF Sep
TENDER, 1854 for peace between England and Holland
the hopeful establishment of Government IN the mo
Their country, good harvest, and the prevention Of
war with New Netherlands one on the 9th OF No
vember 1856, for plentiful crop and the settlement
of difficulties in churches one on the 9TH OF Decem-
Der 1859 for protection against erIorss, the ENJOY
ment Of liberty and good harvest; one on the 1th
July, 1901 for a gracious answer from King
Charles III to an address of the General Court the
promising appearance Of vegetation and the prlVi-
leges of the gospel one on the 9th Of November,
| 1862 " because enough had been spared To sustain
man and beast, after severe season OF drought
and sickness, and because the agents of the colony
had returned from England-while at the same
time, December 9Th, succeeding, appointed for
a FAST account of the low state OF religion IN
the world the prevalence of Antichrst in reform
| ed churches beyond the seas, and public rebukes
at home; one on the 9th of Nov. 1861 because of
comfortable food and " of the Dutch fleet being di-
| vered from the coast" and of the prevalence Of
peace and liberty" one on the 4th of Nov looo, Tor
continuance of civil and religious privileges, Tor the
| reservation of the colony from the common enemy
/ and for sustenance from drought-whe the 10th OF
i the same month designated fol FAST, because
of the prevalence Of SINS hastings, mdcw drought,
grasshoppcrs caerpiars, and small pox IN Massachu-
| sets-wars and pestilence>n England and TO pray
that their liberties might be continued, the country
kept from invasion, that fleet, which had lately sail
ed, might have prosperous voyage one on the oth
Of Nov. 1867 for the continuance OF liberty, peace,
| and a good harvest one the 18th of January,
! 1868 for the news of peace between England and
Holland; one on the 25th Nov 1873, for good har-
vest and preservation from the Dutch one on 18th
June 1916 during King Philips war, for the pros
pect Of subdung the Indians " one on the 18th Nov,
1877 g for a plentiful harvest and the dimlnuon OF
the enemy's rage" one on the 18th Nov, 1857,
for good harvest, health peace, the kings confirm
ing to the colonsts their title to the property (Which
had been declared void by Andros,) and for an act OF
religious federation the 18th of December,
1885, because " the Indians had been checked ana
William and Mary had come to the throne; one ON
the Goth February, 1861, for the success OF the
kings arms in Ireland, for check given to enemies
of the Professionals in Europe-and to seek divine
aid for the colony against its enemies one on me
18th of July 1892 for the safe arrival of Governor
Phipps and Rev Increase Mather from England,
who brought with them settlement of govern
ment one on 2lst December, 1893, for the preser-
walton of his majesty--for stop put to mortal
sickness-for good harvest--and the SUBMISSION oil
the Indians one on January 10th, 1885, for the sue
cess granLed the of his majesty and coniedss
rates. in retakng Namur from the French one on the
18th Of June, for the preservation OF his majesty
from invasion and instruction: one on Nov. IL,
1897, for health, good harvest, and preservation
from feared invasion one on the 18th OF December
$685. for health, good harvest, check given 10 the
Indians and the continuation Of civil and religious
liberty; the 2Sth Of Nov, 1923 because many
'boody pirates had been delivered into the hands of
Justice" the 9th Of November because the
loss by death of his late majesty is happily repaired
for peace and preservation from the apacons hands
of barbarous pirates on the 2Sth June 745, for
the capture of Cape Breon; one on the 18th OF Au-
gust I746 for the signal victory gained by the Duke
of Cumberland the rebels of Scotland. one on
the 18th October 1859 for the capture of Quebec /,
one the 10th of September for the victory Of Prince
Ferdinand of Brunswick, and for the capture of Ha-
, vana
"Such were some Of the occasions Of the Thanks
givings of our fathers-which we have CLEANED from
, Fets curious and valuable Annals of Salem, and
other sources. Sometimes these were appointed by
particular church, sometimes by agreements OF all the
churches; most generally by the great and general
court" and sometimes by the governor by the request
of the court The custom continued it is well known,
through the revolution And it is an ancient one
one that gives rise much social feengmuch inter
change of family greeting-we hope it will long con-
tinue. Fit is it--even in this manner TO render up
the tribute of gratitude for the bountful supply OF
good things which the Author Of all good continues
to pour forth to his dependent creatures.