STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

A PROCLAMATION,
FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING, PRAYER AND PRAISE.

OUR entire dependence on the Supreme Being for life, and all its attendant mercies, demands individual and public acknowledgments. The munificence and guardian care of Divine Providence, have been displayed toward this highly favored nation, from the landing of our Fathers to the present time. Although persecuted by intolerance, and oppressed by power, they were neither forgotten nor forsaken. God's watchful eye was upon them, from the period at which they were driven from their native country, through all their dreary pilgrimage, till their arrival on the rock of Plymouth. When small in number, and feeble in strength, their experience and piety inspired them with confidence in the protection and care of that Omnipotent Arm, which had been conspicuous in their preservation and safety, in times of darkness and danger. By Him they were nourished, till their numbers were increased, and the wilderness around them blossomed as the rose. When a foreign power feared their growth, and envied their prosperity, the hand of oppression was again extended and their civil rights invaded; but, they appealed to the same Almighty Hand, for succor and relief; and He, whose arm is not shortened, graciously interposed, inspired the people with fortitude and decision, and raised up men both for the cabinet and field, well qualified to direct the destinies of a country, striving for independence and liberty.--The interposition of his hand was not withdrawn; but, by an indulgent course of divine providence, the invader was repelled, and our civil and religious liberties established, on a foundation as firm and durable, as the morals and virtues of the people. Our liberties and privileges, being protected by constitutions and laws, and accompanied by every blessing which can promote present happiness, or brighten future prospects, we have become a people highly exalted among the nations of the earth.

His paternal care has not only been extended toward us in ages past; but it is recorded on every page of our history. Although God has, during the last year, by an impressive event in Divine Providence, called us to mourn the departure of two of the most eminent and venerable citizens of our country, he has preserved the life of the President of these United States, smiled upon the officers, and prospered the administration of the general and state governments:--he has preserved us from war, pestilence and famine,--favored us with general health and prosperity, and blessed the enterprise of our citizens, engaged in Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures;--he has kindly protected the civil and religious interests of this state, blessed our seminaries of learning, sent the Gospel of his Son to the needy, and caused multitudes to bow with profound reverence and grateful hearts to the sceptre of the Great Redeemer.

When these interesting facts are cordially received, and suitably impressed on the human mind, it will be the spontaneous dictate of an enlightened conscience, and the sentiment of a pious heart, to express our gratitude by thanksgiving and praise, to the Great Author of our inestimable blessings:--and, that a convenient opportunity, toward the close of the year, may be afforded for offering united and devout homage to our kind Benefactor, and to inspire those devotional exercises and grateful feelings which become dependant creatures on all occasions, but more especially, when made the recipients of new and multiplied blessings, I do, by advice of Council, appoint THURSDAY, THE TWENTY-THIRD DAY OF NOVEMBER NEXT, to be observed as a day of THANKSGIVING, PRAYER AND PRAISE, throughout this state.

And I do hereby recommend to ministers and people, of every religious denomination, to meet together on that day, in their respective places of public worship, and there in the house of God, in a solemn and devout manner, offer to the Great Jehovah, the tribute due to his name.

And when we assemble for the purpose of thanksgiving and praise, may we, with penitent hearts, unitedly confess our numerous transgressions;--let us implore the continuance of temporal and spiritual mercies,--God's blessing on the Church of our Saviour, the means of education, and moral and religious instruction;--let us intercede with him, that he would control our inordinate propensities, and infuse the principles of benevolence and charity, into our conduct, in all the walks of life:--that he would graciously regard the whole human family, and replenish every heart with the benign influences of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is confidently expected, that the people of this state will, on that day, suspend all labor and amusements incompatible with the solemn duties of the occasion.

Dated at Goffstown, the twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of North-America, the fifty-first.

DAVID LAWRENCE MORRIL.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND,
WITH ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL.