Year: 1871

IWashfngt0n's First Thanhsgivfni


Proclamation Something fol


ALBANY. December /, 1871.
To the Editor of the New York Express;


The New York Times, of Septembe
30, remarks:


1t is gratifying fact that Thanks
giving Day is becoming national holi
day. Ii is worth remembering that the
custom Of the President setting aside
special day for Thanksgiving was intro
dnced by President Lincoln.


For the enlightenment of the Times
and the benefit Of the administration, ]
ask you to insert the inclosed study fol
Grant, his Cabinet and the entire Re
publican party.


A keener rebuke than this proclama
ton of the Father of his Country can.
not be administered to the shoddy thiev
ing ring now administering the Govern
meut. B. w.
GENERAL WASHINGTON FIRST THANKS


GIVING PROCLAMATION


By the President of the United States OF


Americana Proclamation:


Whereas, 1t is the duty Of all nations
TO acknowledge the Providence of AL.
mighty God, to obey his will, to be CRATE
full for his benefits, and humbly implore
his protection and favor; and, whereas,
both Houses of Congress have, by their
Joint Committee, requested me to recon-
mend 60 the people Of the United States
day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer,
to be observed by acknowledging with
grateful hearts the many and signal fa-
vors of Almighty God, especially by af-
fording them an opportunity of peacea-
bly, establishing a form Of government
for their safety and happiness


Now, therefore, do recommend and
assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day
of November next, to be devoted by the
people of these States to the service Of
the great and glorious Being who is the
benefcent author of all the good that
was, that is, that will be. That we then
will unite in rendering unto Him our sim
cere and humble thanks for his kind
care and protection of the people Of this
country previous TO its becoming a ma
ton; for the signal and manifest mer-
cies and the favorable interpretations Of
his Providence in the course and con-
clusion of the late war; for the great
degree of tranquility, union, and
plenty which we have since enjoyed; for
the peaceable and rational manner in
which we have been enabled to establish
constitutions of Government for our
safety and happiness, and particularly
the national one more lately instituted;
for civil and religious liberty with
which we are blessed, and the
means we have Of acquiring and diffu-
sing useful knowledge; and in general
for all the great and various favors
which He hath been pleased to confer
upon us. And also that we may then
unite in most humbly offering our
prayers and supplications to the great
Lord and Ruler of nations, and beseech
Him to pardon our national and other
to enable us all, whether
public or private stations, to perform our
several and national duties properly
and prudently; to render our national
government blessing TO all people, con-
stantly being government of wise,
just and constitutional laws discreetly
and faithfully executed aud obeyed; to
protect and guide all sovereigns land
such as have shown kindness
unto us), and bless them with good gov
ernment, peace and concord to pro-
mote the knowledge of true religion and
virtue, and the increase of science
amongst us; and generally TO grant
unto all mankind such degree of tenn
poral prosperity as He alone knows to
be best. h,H


Given under my hand, at the city of


New York, October Sd, in the year


of our Lord 1882 Ige


GEORGE WASHINGTON.