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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 Unites
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 it 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-EIGHTH 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 their
gratitude to God for His goodness by a cheerful obedience to 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.
John
Hanson
President