Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-11-23

| AubltNls
/ The surrender of General BurgoynC
to General Gates at Saratoga, in the
Fall Of l777, induced the members OF
the Continental Congress to take the
. following action on Friday, Oclobe,
, 81, l777:
"ReSolued, That a committee OF three
be appointed TO prepare a recommend,
alton to the several States to set apart
a day for thanksgiving for the signal
success lately obtained over the enc.
mics of the United States"
The members chosen as that com.
mitteo were Samuel Adams, Richard
Henry Lee and Daniel Roberdeau.
On Saturday, November l, 1777, the
committee reported, and Thursday, the
18th day of December, was set apart
as n day of "soIemn Thanksgiving and
praise,
In compliance with the order of
Congress the army at Valley Forge
duly observed the day. In General
Washington's orderly book Of Deem.
Der II, l177, is this entry
Tomorrow being the day set apart
by the Honorable Congress for public
thanksgiving and praise, and duty
calling us devontly TO express our
grateful acknowledgements to God for
the manifold blessings He has granted
us, the General directs that the Army
remain in its present quarters, and
that the Chaplains perform divine ser.
vice with their corps and brigades,
and earnestly exhorts all officers and
soldiers whose absence is not indis.
pensably necessary to attend with
reverence the solemnities Of the day"
"LoNG LIVE THE KING OF FRANCE"
General Washington, on tho rccop.
ton Of the intelligence Of the treaty
with France, in February, IT'S, or
dcred q special day of thanksgiving
for the army ON May I, 177S. In his
orderly book the General wrote on
May 6:
at having pleased the Almighty
Ruler Of the Universe to defend the
cause of the United American States,
and finally to raise up u powerful
friend among the Princes of tho earth,
to establish our liberty and independ.
ency upon lasting foundation, it be.
comes US TO set apart n day for CRATE.
FULLY acknowledging the Divine good.
ness and celebrating the important
event which we owe to His divine
mterposition The several brigades
are to be assembled for this purpose at
0 o'clock tomorrow morning, when
their Chaplains will communicate the
intelligence contained in the postscript
of the Pennsylvania Gazette Of the "a
inst, and offer up thanksgiving and
deliver discourse suitable to the occa,
sion.
upon a signal given the whole
army will huzza, Long live the King
of Francep The artillery then begins
again and fires thirteen rounds, This |
will be succeeded by q second general
discharge Of musketry in running
fire and huzza, Long live the friendly |
European powersr The last discharge
Of thiIteen pieces Of artillery will be
given, followed by general running
fire and huzza, The American Statesp"
AS described by an officer OF the
army the day was observed at Valley |
Forge in an enthusiastic manner:
Last Wednesday was set apart as a
day Of general rejoicing, when VIC had
Il fen de j0ie, conducted with the great.
est order and regularity. The army |
made most brilliant appearance, after
which His EScelency dined in public .
with all the officers Of the army, at
tended by a band Of music. | never
was present where there was such un.
feigned and perfect joy as was discov.
cred in every countenance. The en-
tertainment was concluded with a
number OF patriotic toasts attended
with huzgas. When the General took
bis leave there was a universal clap,
with loud huzzas, which continued till
he had proceeded a quarter of mile,
during which time there were thou.
sand bats tossed in the air. His Ex-
celency turned round with his retinuc
and huzzaed several times"
General Washington, as President
Of the United States, issued his first
proclamation for the observance Of a
day of Thanksgiving at the city Of
New York on the Sd of October, 1889,
setting apart Thursday, the 26th day
of November of that year. "to be de.
voted by tho people of these States to
the service of that great and glorious
Being who is the benefccnt author of
all the good that was, that is or that
will be" etc.
His second proclamation, dated at
the city of Philadelphia, January |,
1895, designated Thursday, November
2G, as a day TO be observed for gen.
eral Thanksgiving by the people OF the
United Slates.-Nc,U York Herdld