Read 1795 Thanksgiving Proclamation, made by
George Washington, the national Presidential Thanksgiving
Proclamation in 1795.
1795 Thanksgiving Proclamation
A PROCLAMATION by the President of the United States of America:
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 increasing prospect of the continuance of that exception, the great
degree of internal tranquility we have enjoyed, the recent confirmation
of that tranquility 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 united 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: GO. WASHINGTON.
