The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-21
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
PROCLAMATION.
From the New York sun.)

'Incidentaly," remarked the man with
a basket on his arm as he came into the
presence of the editor Il might mention
the fact that if you want the finest and
latest turkey for your Thanksgiving
dinner, my store is the place to get 1t,
but that is not what | am here for. |
came in 10 bring you an item of interest.
You may not know, 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 one issued by
Francis Bernard, Captain-General and
Governor e. Chief in and over his Maj
esty's province Of the Massachusetts
Bay in New England. and Vice-Admiral
Of the same, in 1861"
The editor admitted that it had not oc-
Cured to him previously.
Pm 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. 1t is
headed a Proclamation for a Public
Thanksgiving
As the business of the year is now
drawing toward conclusion, we are re-
minded. according to the laudabe usage
Of the Province. to join together in
grateful acknowledgment of the mani
fold mercies of the Divine Providence
conferred upon Us in the passing Year:
Wherefore, have thought fit to appoint,
and | do with the advice of his Males
tvs Council, appoint Thursday, the
Third Day of December next, to be n
day of public Thanksgiving, that we may
thereupon with one Heart and Voice
return our most Humble Thanks TO
lv1,i 10Th ~ cd hn
sations OF His Providence since the last
religious Anniversary of this land, 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, and to
extend the blessings Of his Government
to the remotest part of his Dominions:
that He hath been pleased to bless and
preserve our gracious Queen Charlotte,
their Royal Highnesses the Prince of
Wales, the Princess Dowager Of Wales,
and all the Royal family, and by the
frequent increase of the Royal Issue to
assure us the Continuation of the Bless
ings which we derive from that Illus
trious House; that He hath been pleas
ed to prosper the whole British Empire
by the Preservation of Peace, the En-
crease 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 Province
with healthy, and kindly Seasons, and to
bless the Labour of their Hands with
Sufficiency of the Produce of the
Earth and of the Sea.
"'And / do exhort all Ministers of
the Gospel with their several Congrega-
tons, within this Province, that they
assemble on the said Day in Solemn
thanks to Almighty God for these and
all other of His Mercies vouchsafed I'M
to us, and to beseech Him notwith-
standing our Unworthiness, to continue
His gracious Providence over us. And
| command and enj0in all Magistrates
and Civil Officers to see that the said
Day he observed as a Day set apart for
religious worship, and that no servile
Labour be performed thereon.
"'Giyen at the Council Chamber in
Boston the Fourth Day Of November
1867, in the Eighth Year OF the Reign
Of our Sovereign Lord George the Third.
by the Grace Of God, Of Great Britain.
France, and Ireland, lam ;, Defender of
the Faith, sc.
"FRA. BERNARD.
by His Tycellency's Command.
"A. OLIVER, Sec'ry.
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.
CfaffcfiaS tn