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 tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable 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 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 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.
NOTE:
It was the first official presidential proclamation issued in the United States.
Shortly after the Thanksgiving Proclamation was written, it was lost for 130 years. The original document was written in long hand by William Jackson, secretary to the President, and was then signed by George Washington. It was probably misplaced or mixed in with some private papers when the US capitol moved from New York to Washington, D.C.
The original manuscript was not placed in the National Archives until 1921 when Dr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, assistant chief of the manuscripts division of the Library of Congress found the proclamation at an auction sale being held at an art gallery in New York. Dr Fitzpatrick purchased the document for $300.00 for the Library of Congress, in which it now resides.
"No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable."
--George Washington, Message to the House of Representatives, 3 December 1793
American Minute
with
Bill Federer
In order to thank God for the First Amendment, which was passed a week earlier by Congress, President George Washington issued the first National Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789:
"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;'"
Washington continued:
"Now, therefore, I do recommend...Thursday, the 26TH DAY of NOVEMBER...to be devoted by the People of these United 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;"
Washington concluded:
"That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks...for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government...particularly the national one now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."
American Minute
with
Bill Federer
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolken tells of man's lust for "the ring of power." George Washington had that power and twice gave it up.
When King George III asked American-born painter Benjamin West what Washington planned to do now that he had won the war, West replied "They say he will return to his farm."
King George said "If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world."
Washington later served as President and again returned to his farm, similar to Roman leader Cincinnatus, who twice led Rome's Republic to victory in battle then returned to farming.
On SEPTEMBER 19, 1796, the world stood in awe as President George Washington delivered his Farewell Address, stating:
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars...
Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion."
George Washington ended:
"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle...
Morality is a necessary spring of popular government...Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation?"
American Minute
with Bill Federer
"Beloved Cherokees," wrote President Washington on AUGUST 29, 1796,
"The wise men of the United States meet once a year, to consider what will be for the good of their people...I have thought that a meeting of your wise men...would be alike useful to you...
I now send my best wishes to the Cherokees and pray the Great Spirit to preserve them."
On May 12, 1779, Washington addressed the Delaware Indian Chiefs at the Middle Brook military encampment:
"Brothers: I am glad you have brought three of the Children of your principal Chiefs to be educated with us...Congress...will look upon them as their own Children."
Washington continued:
"This is a great mark of your confidence and of your desire to preserve the friendship between the Two Nations...and to become One people with your Brethren of the United States...
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are."
Washington concluded:
"Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention; and to tie the knot of friendship and union so fast, that nothing shall ever be able to loose it...
I pray God He may make your Nation wise and strong."
American Minute
with Bill Federer
He was one of six founding fathers to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
President Washington appointed him to the Supreme Court.
Born in Scotland, he was an active delegate at the Constitutional Convention, speaking 168 times.
His name was James Wilson and he died AUGUST 21, 1798.
The first law professor of the University of Pennsylvania, James Wilson wrote in his Lectures on Law, 1789-91:
"Law...communicated to us by reason and conscience...has been called natural; as promulgated by the Holy Scriptures, it has been called revealed...
But it should always be remembered, that this law, natural or revealed...flows from the same divine source; it is the law of God."
James Wilson continued:
"Human law must rest its authority, ultimately, upon the authority of that law, which is divine."
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania records in Updegraph v. Commonwealth, 1824:
"The late Judge James Wilson, of the Supreme Court of the United States, Professor of Law in the College in Philadelphia...for our present form of government we are greatly indebted to his exertions...
In his Course of Lectures (3d Vol. of his Works, 122), he states that...'Christianity is part of the common-law.'"
American Minute
with Bill Federer
Prior to the Revolution, British troops were marching toward Fort Duquesne when they were ambushed by the French and Indians.
Not accustomed to fighting unless in an open field, the British soldiers were annihilated.
23-year-old Colonel George Washington rode back and forth during the battle delivering orders for General Edward Braddock.
Eventually, Braddock was killed and every officer on horseback was shot, except Washington.
George Washington wrote of the Battle of Monongahela to his younger brother John, JULY 18, 1755:
"As I have heard, since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial account of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity of contradicting the first, and of assuring you, that I have not as yet composed the latter.
But by the All-Powerful Dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!"
An Indian warrior later declared:
"Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle and after all could not bring him to the ground!"
American Minute
with Bill Federer
After George Washington retired from being President, he became Commander-in-Chief of the Army for a second time.
It was 1798, the year before he died, that he received an urgent plea from President John Adams. France, in the midst of revolution, was demanding extortion payments not to harass American ships.
The cry went out "Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute."
George Washington replied to President John Adams, JULY 13, 1798:
"Satisfied...that you have...exhausted, to the last drop, the cup of reconciliation, we can, with pure hearts, appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause; and may confidently trust the final result to that kind Providence who has, heretofore, and so often, signally favored the people of these United States."
George Washington continued:
"Feeling how incumbent it is upon every person...to contribute at all times to his country's welfare, and especially in a moment like the present, when everything we hold dear and sacred is so seriously threatened, I have finally determined to accept the commission of Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States."
Then, on March 6, 1799, President John Adams declared a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer to the Most High God."
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:"
