The Manner in which the American Colonies Declared themselves
INDEPENDANT of the King of ENGLAND. William Hamilton (1751-1801) delin, George
Noble (dates unknown) sculp. Mixed method, 1783. | Following the Revolutionary War, the
Continental
Congress recognized the need to give thanks
for delivering the country from war and into independence. Congress issued a proclamation on
October 11, 1782:
By the United States in Congress assembled.
PROCLAMATION.
IT 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 United 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 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-eight 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 to their
gratitude to
GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of 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.
Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one
thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the
seventh.
JOHN HANSON, President.
Charles Thomson, Secretary. |
NOTE: In Continental Congress and
Constitutional
Convention, 1774-1789, search on
Thanksgiving to see the original document above,
"
State of New-Hampshire. In
Committee of Safety, Exeter, November 1, 1782 : Ordered, that the following proclamation
for a
general thanksgiving on the twenty-eighth day of November instant,..."
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