The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-17
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROC.
MITION.
A Bit OF History. which II Appropriate at This
season OF the Year.

A Bit OF History. which II Appropriate at This
season OF tho Year.
Incidentally remark:d the man with a bas-
ket on his arm as he came into the presence of
the editor, II might mention the fact that II you
want tic finest and latest turkey for your
Thanksgiving dinner, my store is the place to
get 1t; but that is not what ! nm here for. I
came in to bring you an item of interest. You
nay not know, no Notwithstanding an editor knows
more than anybody else on earth. that the first
proclamation of Thanksgiving Day that Is to
be found in printed form is the ono issued by
Francis BERNARD, Captain-General and Cover.
nor.in-C Chief in and over his Majesty's province
Of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. and
Vicc-Admiral OF the same, in 1857"
The editor admitted that it had not occurred
to him previously.
I'm glad I'm giving you something new"
continued the turkey man. "and now let me
read it tn you 40 you may compare it with the
modern style. 1t is headed:
A PROCLAMATION FOR A PUBLIC THANKsoIvISG.
LAS the business Of the year 10 now drawing
toward a conclusion, we are reminded. accord
ing to tlg lRudnbie usage OF the Province, to
join together in a grateful acknowledgment Of
conferred upon Us in the passing ear: Where
fore. ! have thought 1T to appoint, and do,
point Thursday. the Third Day of December
next, to be a day OF public ThnnksKiving, that
E rs may our rh1 mo.p humble Mafa one Tsa aesr to ana hfnis 9ifS
iNkaAh INA ~ ANsNS W -.
God for tho gracious Dispensat.ons OF HIS
Providence since the last religious Anniversary
OF this kind. and especially for-that He has
been pleased to preserve and maintain our moso
gracious sovereign, King, George, In Health
tend the blessings OF his Government TO tie re-
motest part OF his Doninions; that be hath
been pleased TO bless and preserye our gracious
Prince Of Wales. the Princess Dow ager OF
Wales. and all tho Royal family. and by tho
frequent encrease of the Royal Issue to assure
us the Continuation OF tho Blessings which we
hath been pleased to prosper the whole British
Empire by the Preservation or Peace. the
En,rease Of Trade, and the opening or new
Sources OF National Wealth: and now ~particu-
people or this Province with healthy ana kindly
Seasons, and to b.ess the Ltbour OF their Hands
with u Suihcirncy VI Tho Produce OF tho Earth
and OF the SsH. q,
with their several Congregations, within this
Province. that they assemble on tho said Day IN
q solemn manner 10 return their most HURDLE
thinks to Almighty God for these .nu NJ. ether
seech Him Notwithstanding our CnworthinesA,
to continue his gracious. Providence over us:
And l command and enjoin all Magistrates and
Civil Officers to see that the said Day be OBJ
and that no scrvile Labour be performed thereon.
"'Given at tho Council tnamher IN Boston the
Fourth Day OF November, 1907. in tho Eighth
Year OF the Roign OF our Sovereign Lord George
the Third, by tho Grace OF God, or Great brtt-
ain, France, and Ireland, King Defender OF the
Faith, Sc. FRA. BERNARD.
by His Excellency'S CoHm1nd; s.o,rv
"'God Save Tho King
Remember what I told You about the place
for Thanksgiving turkeys" said tho turkey man.
laying tho paper on tho desk and walking ont