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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.
A PROCLAMATION.
Messages and Papers of the Presidents, George
Washington, Vol 1, Pg.171 -- Pg.172
When we review the calamities which afflict so many
other nations. the present condition of the United States affords much
matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto from
foreign war, an (Pg.172) increasing prospect of the continuance of that
exemption, the great degree
of internal tranquillity we have enjoyed, the recent confirmation
of that tranquillity by the suppression of an insurrection which
so wantonly threatened it, the happy course of our public affairs
in general, the unexampled prosperity of all classes of our citizens,
are circumstances which peculiarly mark our situation
with indications of the Divine beneficence toward us. In such a state
of things it is in an especial manner our duty as a people, with
devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many
and great obligations to Almighty God and to implore Him to continue
and confirm the blessings we experience.
Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, I, George
Washington, President of the United States, do recommend to all
religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever,
within the United States to set apart and observe Thursday, the 19th
day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, and
on that day to meet together and render their sincere and hearty thanks
to the Great Ruler of
Nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our
lot as a nation, particularly for the possession of constitutions
of government which unite and by their union establish liberty
with order; for the preservation of our peace, foreign and domestic;
for the seasonable control which has been given to a spirit of disorder
in the suppression of the late insurrection, and generally, for
the prosperous course of our affairs, public and private; and at the
same time humbly and fervently to beseech the kind Author of these
blessings graciously to prolong them to us; to imprint
on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to Him
for them; to teach us rightly to estimate their immense value; to
preserve us from the arrogance of prosperity, and from hazarding
the advantages we enjoy by delusive pursuits; to dispose us to merit
the continuance of His favors by not abusing them; by
our gratitude for them, and by a correspondent conduct as citizens
and men; to render this country more and more a safe and propitious
asylum for the unfortunate of other countries; to extend among us
true and useful knowledge; to diffuse and establish habits of sobriety,
order, morality, and piety, and finally, to impart all the
blessings we possess, or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of
mankind.
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the
United States of America to be affixed to these presents, and signed
the same with my hand. Done at the
city of Philadelphia, the 1st day of January 1795, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the nineteenth.
.
By the President:
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