Good morning, and Happy Thanksgiving

Our first president, George Washington proclaimed the fourth Thursday of each November, Thanksgiving Day. I had not read his proclamation in years, and just read it again this morning and wanted to share it with you. Read the message within. We hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.

happy-thanksgiving

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 shewn 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 encrease 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.

Go: Washington

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

5 Comments

  1. Lynn on November 28, 2013 at 7:27 am

    Now that is a message of Hope. ?Thank you President George Washington and Happy Thanksgiving to all in RVO land.



  2. J.R. on November 28, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    I would say that Obama never read that before he stated that we are not a christian nation. Thank God Obama wasn’t our first president!
    ?



  3. ricbee on November 28, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    We are truly blessed & will be able to relieve ourselves of this Obama mess.



  4. bien-pensant on November 29, 2013 at 7:04 am

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.
    I’d love for Washington’s Proclamation to be read in every school. Imagine the consternation of some as they realize our venerated first President set aside a national day to thank god!
    Maybe New York was a better choice for our nation’s capital as it was a hub of commerce not a city isolated dedicated to politics.
    Happy Hanukkah! Peace to all.
    ?



    • Lynn on November 29, 2013 at 7:29 am

      Good thought, Washington is built on a swamp. However ?not now, New York’s future looks bleak.



happy-thanksgiving

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