The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-20
A RELIC OF THANKSGIVING.

GOV. Fltch's Proclamation to Con-
necticut COlOnists 142 Years Ago.
Dr. William E. Fitch has in his possess
sion an interesting reminder of Thanks
giving in the shape of the copy of
Thanksgiving proclamation issued by Gov.
Thomas Fitch of the colony of Connecticut
142 years ago DIR. Fitch is a direct de-
scendant of Gov. Fitch tarsAaslasutkasty-
four generations
Gov Fitch was the father of Col. Thomas
Fitch, who commanded the four New Eng
land regiments in the French and Indian
war and in derision Of these regi-
Ynents Yankee Doodle" was composed
and sung at the time they were in camp
on the banks of the Hudson river, oppo-
site Albany. These regiments performed
their full share in the attack on Fort
Ticonderaga and suffered a greater loss
in proportion to their numbers, than the
British army.
Dr. Fitch being a lineal descendant of
the Old Norwalk Governor, is naturally
proud of the loyal proclamation 20 the
good people of the old Connecticut colony.
The original document is rare curiosity
and is carefully preserved
and much cherished memento in the rec
olds of the state of Connecticut. The
proclamation is an admirably worded call
for fast, instead of a feast
BY the Honorable
THOMAS FITCH, Esq;
Governor of his Majesty's English Colony
"of Connecticut, in New England, in
America.
"A PROCLAMATION
"For a day of public Fasting and Prayer.
CONSIDERING the manifest Tokens
af-f
and Land, in permitting them to be en-
gagged in a dangerous WAR, with a
very powerful Enemy, the Seat of which
lis so much In America; and the distress
ling calamities attending it, the Advant-
lagos the Enemy have been allowed TO
gain over us, not only by destroying the
frontier Towns, and Settlements, Killing
land Captivating great Numbers of our
"Soldiery and Inhabitants; but even TAX
ting some of our strong Holds. and Fort
'resses, and thereby Strengthening them
selves with much of our Artillery, war
like Stores and Provisions. Considering
also that our military Preparations, and
Attempts, for securing the British Inter
est, and Safety of this Land. have not
hitherto been successful according to our
Hopes against the encroaching and har-
"barous Enemy Whereby our Treasure has
been greatly Exhausted, and the Land
much weakened. Considering likewise
the Sickness sent into the Army this
present Year; and that under all these
Distresses, it hath pleased a righteous
GOD to cut short so much of the former
Harvest; and many other Tokens of d.
vine Dspleasure; whereby we are ad-
mOnished to humble ourselves before a
molly GOD. from whom all our Affections
come and on whom we are constantly
dependent for Help and for Salvation
nave therefore thought fit by and
with the Advice OF, the Council. and az
the desire of the Representatives in Gen
eral Court assembled, to appoint and do
hereby appoint Thursday, the seventh day
Oh october next, to be religiously OBJ
served as a Day of public Fasting. and
prayer throughout this Colony, earnestly
eXhorting both Ministers, and Peop.e in
tue4r religious Societies, deeply to hum
ole themselves before Righteous GOD.
ana unfeignedly to repent of all those
SINS and Iniquities, whereby the LORD
: provoked to Anger against us.
ana to offer up fervent Prayers and
Supphcations to the LORD of Hosts.
enat he would protect and defend our
Nation; bless the Kings Majesty. and
an the Royal Family; direct the Kings
councils; go forth with his Fleets. ana
armies; Crown them with Victory and
success; and bring our Enemies to Just
ana reasonable Terms of Peace; that he
"Oui" take care of us in this Land, bless
me several Governments in it, protect
cut Sea-Coasts. and defend our frontier
towns. and Settlements; that He would
49, win our Army, preserve them from
SICKNESS, save them from the Sword of
we Enemy, cover their Heads on the
.Day Of Battle, and Crown them with
Ntory and Success; And that GOD
"oulu restore Peace to our Borders; save
a.. us from those desolating Judgments we
ma. nave reason to fear; pour OUT upon us a
..oPHlt of Prayer Reformation. and
..4TInendment, and excite us to suitable
.BITehayiour under all the Dispensations of
ms providence and Grace.
e. ana all servile abour is hereby strictly
IOlDldden on said day
uIveh under my Hand at the Council
Chamber in Hartford, this Eighteenth
Day Of September, in the thirtiefb
year Of the Reign of our Sovereign
Lord GEORGE the Second, of Great
btltaiu, France and ireland. King
pefender of the Faith &c. Annooue
"Domlni 1855.
49, ct. FITCH"