By the United States in Congress assembled.
PROCLAMATION.
IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up
their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his
gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public
manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for
great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore
the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the
many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the
important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy
and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the
course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the
public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the
perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them
and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the
common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and
those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another
European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting
advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of
these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to
interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of
THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn
THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further
recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his
goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his
station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion,
which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.
Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the
year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and
eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.
JOHN HANSON, President.
Charles Thomson, Secretary.