Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-30
FIRST NATIONAL THANKSGIVING
The Proclamation Was Issued by Authority Congress TT
While 1t Was Sitting at York-t Recommended Abstention
From Uniting Recreation Well From Labor

WORK, rich in It's historic associations,
i enjoys the rare distinction, not gener-
ally known, of having been the home of the
original of the first two national Thanks
giving proclamatious. The first was issued
by Congress, in session here, to COM
memorate the victory of Saratoga during
tho Revolution. The other proclamation
was issued by Abraham Lincoln, following
the decisive battle at Gettysburg.
George r. Prowell, curator and librarian
of the York County Historical Society, while
making Investigations previous to the pub
llcation of his history of the Continental
Congress at York, Pa, found the original
proclamation sent out from York in the
archives of the Department of State at
Washington.
When General Howe, in 1777. landed at
the head of Elk River. with an army OF
Is, 900 men, he began a movement toward
Philadelphia. AS the city was threatened
with an invasion OF the British foe, Con-
gress, then sitting in Independence Hall,
voted unanimously to adjourn to meet in
Lancaster, then the largest inland town In
the United States. The thirty-six members
in Congress from the original thirteen
States rode on horseback to Bethlehem, and
from there went 10 Lancaster. Only one
days session was held in that borough, and
for better protection Congress resolved to
move to York, on the west side OF the Sus-
quehanna River.
Congress held it's first session In York on
September 80, 1777. At that time, in the
language of John Adams, a member OF Con-
gress from Massachusetts, all was dark and
gloomy. The news of the victory OF Gates
in capturing the entire army Of 5000 men
under Burgoyne, marching from Canada to-
ward New York. then in the hands OF the
enemy, was first brought to Congress at
York by a nephew of General Israel Put
nam The official account OF the surrender
at Saratoga was brought 10 York by Colonel
Wilkinson, an aide on the stan of General
Gates Congress remained in session In
York nine months or from September so,
l77T, TO June 81, ITS, while Washington
was at Valley Forge.
ON october 81 President Laurens ap-
pointed Richard Henry Lee, OF Virginia
Samuel Adams, of Massachusetts, and GEN
eral Roberdeau, of Pennsylvania, COM
mIttee OF Congress to draft national proc
lamatlon OF Thanksgiving. the first In the
history OF the American Republic. This his
toric document was written at York by that
eminent Virginlan. Richard Henry Lee, who
lesss than two years before had moved In
Congress, at Philadelphia. that these
United States are and OF right ought 20 be
frea and independent States" and himself
became one OF the signers or the Declara-
tion OF Independence On November i, lfl7,
the committee appointed 10 prepare rec
ommendatlon TO set apart a day OF public
thanksgiving brought in a report, which
was agreed to unanimously. The proclama-
zion Is remarkable in language and thought.
Besidsa breathing forth spirit OF lofty
patriotism. II also contains a deep ana
fsryent religious sentiment. Following Is
the proclamation In full:
Forasmuch IS 1t is the indispensable
duty OF all men to adore the superin-
tending providence OF Almighty God. to
acknowledge with gratitude their OBJ
LEGATIONS for benefits received, and to
implors such further blessings as they
stand ia need OF ana il having pleased
Him In His abundant mercy not only
to continue 10 US the innumerable boun-
ties OF His common providence, but also
70 smile upon Us IN the prosecution OF
a tlst and necessary war for the de-
fensa and establishment OF our inalien-
able rights and liberties, particularly
IA that he had been pleased IN 50 great
a measure 20 prosper the means USED
Tor the support OF our troops and 70
crown our arms with most signal sue
cess. IL Is. therefore. recommended e
the LEGISLATURE of executive powers of
thess ullllsd statta e 50 apaFi Thula-
dav. TIA 1elh e peeenaosa nexk t.