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By the President of the United States

A PROCLAMATION

The year that is drawing toward its close, has been filled with

blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are

prone to forget the source from which they come,

others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature,

that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart

which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of

Almighty God.

 In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity,

which has sometimes seemed foreign States to invite and

provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all

nations, order has been maintained the laws have been

respected and obeyed, and harmony has been prevailed

everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict;

while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing

armies and natives of the Union. Needful diversion of wealth

and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to
 
the national defence,

have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship;

the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, the mines,

as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded

even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has been steadily increased, notwithstanding the

waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and

the battle-field; and the country rejoiced in the consciousness of
augmented strength, and vigor, is permitted to expect

continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human council hath devised nor hath any mortal hand

worked out these great things.

They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who,
 
while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless

remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly,
reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and

one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of
 
the United States, and those who are at sea and those

who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe

the last Thursday of November next, and a day of
 
Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficient Father who dwells
 
in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions

justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings,

they do also, with humble penitnce for our perverseness and

disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have

become widows, orphans, mourners, or suffers in the lamentable
civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently

implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds
of the nations and to restore it as soon as may be consistent

with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace,

harmony, tranquillity, and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused

the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

(L. S.)        Done at City of Washington, this third day of

                 October,  in the year of our Lord one thousand
 
                 eight hundred  and sixty three,

                 and of the Independence of the United States
 
                 the eighty eighth.

By the President                    Abraham Lincoln

                                            William H. Seward
                                                       Secretary of State