The Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 by Lawrence Auster

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

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