The age-herald., 1897-10-24
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
A Bit of History, Which Is Appropriate at This
 Season of the Year.

From the New York Sun.
 Incidentally" remarked the man with basket on his arm as he came into the presence of the editor, 'I might mention the fact that if you want the finest turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner, my store is the place to get 1t; but that is not what am here for. came in to bring you an item of interest You may not know, notwithstanding an editor knows more than anybody else on earth that the first proclamation or Thanksgiving day that is to be found in printed form is the cne issued by Francis Bernard, captain-generad ard governor-in-chief in and over his ma jesty's province of the Massachuset tts Bay in New England, and vice-admlral of the same, in 1767."
 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 to you so you may compare it with the modern style. It is headed:
 A PROCLAMATION FOR A PUBLIC
 THANKSGIVING.
 "sAs the businegn of the year Is now drawing toward a conclusion, we are re- minisd, according to the laudable usage of the province, to join together in a grateful acknowledgement of the mani fold mercies of the Divine Providence conferred upon Us in ths passing Year; Wherefore, have drought fit to appoint, and I do, with the advice of h.s Ma jesty's Council, appoint Thursday, the Third Day of December next, to be a day of public Thanksgiving, that we may thereupon with one Heart and Voice re- turn our most Humble Thanks to Al mighty God for the gracious Dispensa- tions of His Providence since the last religious Anniversary of this kind, and especially for-that He has been pleased to preserve and maintain our most gra- cious Sovereign, King George, in Health and Wealth, in Peace and Honor, ana to extend the Blessings of his Govern ment to the remoteSt part Of his Domin- ions that He Ina tn been pleased to bless and preserve our gracious QueSn char lotte, their Royal Higthnesses the Prince of Wales the Princess DoWager Of Wales, ard all the Royal family. and by the frequent increase of the Royal Issue to assure us tine Continuation of the Blessings which we derive from that flustrious House; that He hath been pleased to prosper the whole British Elm pire bly the Preservation of Peace. the Encrease of Trade, and the opening Of new Sources of National Wealth; and now particularly that He hath been pleased to favor the people of this Prov
  and to bless the Labor of their Hands with Sufficiency eff the Produce of the Earth and of the Sea-
 "'And I lio txhort all Ministers of the Gospel with their several Congregations, within this Province, that they assemble on the said Day in a Solemn manner to return their most humble thanks to Almighty God for these and all other of His Marcies vouchsafeld unto us, and to beseech Him notwithstanding our Un- worthi1e,ss, to continue His gracious Providence over us. And I command and en5oin all Magistrates and Civil Officers to see that the said Day be ob- served as a Day set apart for religi- ous worship, and that no servile Labour be performed thereon.
 "'Given at the Council Chamber in Boston the Fourth Day of November. 1767 in the Eighth Year of the Reign of our Souerefgn Lord George the Third, by the Gralce of God, of Great Britain. France, and Ireland. King. Defender of the Faith. sc. FRA. BERNARD.
 ".By His Excellency's Command,
 "A. OLIVER, Secy.
 "God Save The King.
 Remember what told you about the place for Thanksgiving turkeys" said the turkey man. laying the paper on the desk and walking out.