By the President of the United States of America, a
Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge
the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to
be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his
protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of
Congress have by their joint Committee requested
me to recommend to the People of the United
States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be
observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the
many signal favors of Almighty God especially by
affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish
a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday
the 26th day of November next to be devoted by
the People of these States to the service of that
great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent
Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will
be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him
our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and
protection of the People of this Country previous to
their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold
mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his
Providence which we experienced in the course and
conclusion 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 now
lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with
which we are blessed; and the means we have of
acquiring and diffusing 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 transgressions-- to enable us
all, whether in public or private stations, to perform
our several and relative duties properly and
punctually--to render our national government a
blessing to all the people, by constantly being a
Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws,
discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to
protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations
(especially such as have shown kindness unto us)
and to bless them with good government, peace,
and concord--To promote the knowledge and
practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase
of science among them and us--and generally to
grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal
prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the
third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Geo Washington