The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of October 3, 1789, issued five months after the start of his presidency, repays careful reading, both as an expression of Washington’s mind and religious beliefs, and as a profound meditation on God’s providential relationship with America as it was understood by the Founding generation. Imbued with the pious and humble spirit of the Anglican Prayer Book, every phrase in this document—from its thanks to God for delivering America through the War of Independence and the creation of the Constitution, to its call to the people to pray to God that he may “pardon our national and other trangressions … [and] render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws”—unfolds a distinct aspect of the American people’s relationship and service to God, conveying in the clearest terms a sense of the American people as a people under God.
PROCLAMATION.
A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING.
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 and 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 in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, 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 has 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 trangressions; 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 to us), and to bless them with good governments, 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 3d day of October,
A. D. 1789. G. WASHINGTON.
Posted by Lawrence Auster at November 22, 2007 11:12 PM | Send