Circular.
Princeton, 22d October, 1783.
Sir:
Your Excellency will received enclosed herewith a Proclamation of Congress of the 18th Instant recommending to the Several States to set apart the Second Thursday in December next, as a day of public Thanksgiving.
BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.
Whereas, it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler of all human events to dispose the hearts of the late beligerent powers to put a stop to the effusion of human blood by proclaiming a cessation of all hostilities by Sea and Land and these United States are now happily rescued from the dangers and calamities to which they have been so long exposed, but their freedom, Sovereignty and Independence ultimately acknowledged. And whereas in the progress of a contest on which the most essential rights of human nature depend, the interposition of divine providence in our favor hath been most abundantly and most graciously manifested and the Citizens of these United States have every reason for praise and Gratitude to the God of their
Salvation. Impressed therefore with an exalted sense of the blessings by which we are surrounded and of our entire dependence on that Almighty Being from whose goodness and bounty they are derived, The United States in Congress assembled do recommend it to the several States to set apart the second Thursday in December next as a Day of public Thanksgiving that all the people may then assemble to celebrate with grateful hearts, and united voices, the praises of their Supreme and all bountiful Benefactor for his numberless favors and mercies, that he has been pleased to conduct us in safety through all the perils and vicissitudes of the War; that he has given us unanimity and resolution to adhere to our just rights; that he hath raised up a powerful ally to assist us in supporting them, and hath so far crowned our United efforts with success, that in the course of the present Year hostilities have ceased, and we are left in the undisputed possession of our liberties and Independence and of the fruits of our own land and in the free participation of the Treasures of the Sea; that He has prospered the labor of our husbandmen with plentiful harvests; and above all that He hath been pleased to continue to us the light of the blessed Gospel and secured to us in the fullest extent the rights of Conscience in faith and worship. And while our hearts overflow with gratitude and our lips set forth the praises of our great Creator that we also offer up fervent supplications that it may please Him to pardon all our offences, to give wisdom and unanimity to all our public Councils, to cement all our Citizens in the bounds of affection and to inspire them with an earnest regard for the national honor and interest, to enable them to improve the days of prosperity by every good work and to be lovers of peace and tranquility; that He may be pleased to bless us in our husbandry, our Commerce and navigation, to smile upon our Seminaries and means of education, to cause pure religion and virtue to flourish, to give Peace to all Nations, and to fill the World with his Glory.Done by the United States in Congress assembled, Witness His Excellency Elias Boudinot our President this 18th Day of October in the Year of our Lord, 1783, and of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America the eighth.