The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-30
TIE FIRsr or TIE SERIES

The first THANKSGIVING day proclama-
ton ever issued by a President was
signed by George Washington in l1S9.
The original is in the possession Of Rev.
j. ". Wellman. who inherited il from his
grandfather. William Ripley, of Cornish,
\. II. This proclamation was issued by
request of both houses of congress
through their Joint committee The text
of the proclamation following the pre-
amble is:
Now, therefore. l do recommend and
assign Thursday. the 26th day of NOvem-
Der next. to be devoted by the people of
these states to the service of that great
and glorious being. who is the beuetCeut
author of all the good that was,
that is, or that viii be. That
we may then all unite in render
ing 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 favourable
interpretations 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 en-
jOyed - for the peaceable and national
manner in which we have been enabled
to establish constitutions of government
for our safety and happiness, and par
| ticularly the national one now lately in
stituted 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 fayOurS which
he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And, also, that we may then unite in
most humhly 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 private
stations, TO perform our several and rela-
tive duties properly and punctually to
render our national government a bless
ing to all the people, by constantly being
a government of wise, just and constitu-
tional laws, directly and faithfully exc
cuted and obeyed to protect aud guide
all sovereigns and nations especially
such as have shown kindness to u.s., and
to bless them with good Government,
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
of New York, the third day of October
IN the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-nine.
G. WASHINGTON.
The Thanksgiving proclamations issued
since the time of &c. Washington" have
usually been less elaborate.
There is no special observance of the
day at the capital except the occasional
services in the churches. 1t is altogether
likely that President Cleveland, will be
fishing or shooting on Thanksgiving day
this year. If he is not the traditional
turkey with cranberry sauce will be
served at the white house table. possibly
to a few guests as well as to the Presi-
dent and his family. The cabinet people
usually eat their Thanksgiving dinner by
their own firesides. = If they feel any
special occasion for giving thanks they
do not show it.