Proclamation of Thanksgiving - Abraham Lincoln
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A Day of Thanksgiving: Lincoln and Washington

On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issues a Presidential Proclamation inviting the American people “to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving.”

The invitation was much like President George Washington’s Proclamation on January 1, 1795 recommending “all persons whomsoever, within the United States, to set apart and observe Thursday, the nineteenth day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.”

The Proclamations are short and rich, so the text of each follows, first Lincoln’s:

“The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the 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 to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel 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 also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth 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 penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans. mourners, or sufferers 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 nation 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.

Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A. D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

By the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.”

 

Proclamation of Thanksgiving - Abraham Lincoln

 

Now, Washington’s:

“When we review the calamities, which afflict so many other nations, the present condition of the United States affords much matter of consolation and satisfaction. Our exemption hitherto from foreign war – an increasing prospect of the continuance of that exemption – the great degree of internal tranquility we have enjoyed – the recent confirmation of that tranquility by the suppression of an insurrection which so wantonly threatened it – the happy course of public affairs in general – the unexampled prosperity of all classes of our citizens; are circumstances which peculiarly mark our situation with indications of the Divine beneficence towards us. In such a state of things it is, in an especial manner, our duty as people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experience.

Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, I, George Washington, President of the United States, do recommend to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever, within the United States, to set apart and observe Thursday, the nineteenth day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer: and on that day to meet together and render their sincere and hearty thanks to the great Ruler of nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our lot as a nation. particularly for the possession of constitutions of government which unite and, by their union, establish liberty with order; for the preservation of peace, foreign and domestic; and for the seasonable control, which has been given to a spirit of disorder, in the suppression of the late insurrection; and generally for the prosperous course of our affairs, public and private; and, at the same time, humbly and fervently to beseech the kind Author of these blessings. graciously to prolong them to us – to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to Him for them – to teach us rightly to estimate their immense value – to preserve us from the arrogance of prosperity and from hazarding the advantages we enjoy by delusive pursuits – to dispose us to merit the continuance of His favors by not abusing them, by our gratitude for them, and by a correspondent conduct as citizens and as men – to render this country, more and more, a propitious asylum for the unfortunate of other countries – to extend among us true and useful knowledge – to diffuse and establish habits of sobriety, order, morality, and piety – and, finally, to impart all blessings we possess or ask for ourselves, to the whole family of mankind.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States of America, to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done, at the city of Philadelphia, the first day of January, 1795, and of the independence of the United States of America, the nineteenth.
Go Washington,
President of the United States

EDMUND RANDOLPH, Secretary of State.”

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US Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony 1793
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George, Genesis, and the Capital Cornerstone

On this day in 1793, George Washington lays the cornerstone of the Capitol building. An engraved silver plate commemorates the occasion with this inscription:

“This South East corner Stone, of the Capitol of the United States of America in the City of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September 1793, in the thirteenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the second term of the Presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as conspicuous and beneficial, as his Military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties, and in the year of Masonry 5793, by the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several Lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge No. 22, from Alexandria, Virginia.”

Foundational

First, “the year of Masonry 5793” is equivalent to the Gregorian year plus 4,000. The ceremonial Masonic dating system of A.L., Anno Lucis, Latin for ‘year of light,’ like Anno Mundi, coincides with the estimated year of Creation (around 4,000 B.C). Here’s the biblical account in Genesis 1:3: “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

Taking much longer than ‘seven days,’ the 540-room, domed Capitol building took nearly a century to complete.

Also, a small stone from a field next to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, which is believed to mark the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, set into a slab of American granite comprise the ceremonial foundation stone of the National Cathedral.

Capitol Cornerstone Ceremony 1793, Washington

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White House burning
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The White House Burns

On this day in 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops invade Washington, D.C. In the evening, they burn the executive mansion, now known as the White House.

White House burning

In June of 1812, Americans burned Canadian government buildings in York, Ontario, Canada. Seeking revenge, the British set fire to other buildings in Washington, D.C. These included the still uncompleted Capitol building, the House of Representatives, and the Library of Congress. Thankfully, perhaps providentially from “the invisible hand” “of the Great Disposer of Events,” a major storm, possibly a hurricane, put out the fires. The storm also spawned a couple tornados, and drove the British out of the capital city on damaged boats.

President James Madison and first lady Dolley were already safely in Maryland, though just barely.

Prior to the invasion, President Madison briefly took command of an American Battery at the Battle of Bladensburg. As a result, Madison is first and only president to exercise his authority as commander in chief in actual battle.

Washington Copy

Meanwhile, back at the White House, with British troops gathering in the distance, Dolley “had [a wagon] filled with the plate and most valuable portable articles belonging to the house.”
She also saved what she believed to be the original Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington.

She “ordered the frame to be broken, and the canvass taken out it is done, and the precious portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of New York, for safe keeping.”

Ultimately, it turned out to be just a copy.

No people…

We think Our George Washington “Invisible Hand” shirt is worth saving. Click the link below to get your ‘copy.’

Interestingly, in Proclamation 20 – Recommending a Day of Public Thanksgiving for Peace on March 4, 1815, President Madison seemed inspired the George Washington quote on the shirt:
“No people ought to feel greater obligations to celebrate the goodness of the Great Disposer of Events of the destiny of Nations than the people of the United States.”

Here is the Washington quote from his Inaugural Address on April 30, 1789:
“No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the People of the United States.”

Even so, the sentiment is powerful and worth repurposing for posterity!

George Washington “Invisible Hand”

 

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Benjamin Franklin United States seal
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Exodus examples: “Command of the Deity” and the Ten Commandments

Let’s explore a couple Exodus examples from Our Lost Founding…

Command

First, below you’ll see Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten description (and transcription) of his Great Seal design suggestion from 1776. It describes the climactic events from the book of Exodus in the Bible; following the departure of Moses and the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, the once-parted Red Sea swallows up Pharaoh and his army.

This scene clearly speaks the motto “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God” which Thomas Jefferson adopted for use in his own personal seal. That motto and his seal inspired Our TJ t-shirt.

Benjamin Frankin Seal design description

Benjamin Franklin seal design Exodus

Commandments

Later in Exodus, Moses receives the Ten Commandments from the finger of God on two stone tablet atop Mount Sinai. Those tablets are represented on the chamber doors of the Supreme Court as well as on the floor of the National Archives, as seen below.

 

Ten commandments supreme court chamber

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Patrick Henry Give me Liberty
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Patrick Henry Given Life

On this day in 1736, Patrick Henry is born in Studley, Virginia. As the defense lawyer in the Parsons’ Cause trial in 1763, he crafted an eloquent defense based on the doctrine of natural rights, predating the Declaration of Independence by over a decade.  In addition, Patrick Henry was the first elected governor of Virginia, and a delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congress.

However, he is most well-known for saying: “GIVE ME LIBERTY, OR GIVE ME DEATH!”

Is life so dear…?

Here are selected excerpts of that same speech from March 23, 1775 at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Viriginia:

“Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings… .”

“If we wish to be free…we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!”

“Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations.”

“Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

 

Patrick Henry Give me Liberty

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Nathanael Greene
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Nathanael Greene : “ready at all times to bleed in my country’s cause”

On this day in 1776, General George Washington gives friend and comrade-in-arms Brigadier General Nathanael Greene command of Long Island. General Greene is to set up defensive positions against a British attack on New York City.

Greene arranged his troops to defend against a frontal attack. However, in late August the British surprised them with an attack from their left flank. Thus, the British took most of Long Island, but allowed American survivors to flee to Manhattan. Had they not, the American Revolution may well have been over.

God’s Hand

Washington and Greene shared a belief in a great God who governs our world, as evidenced by their quotes below:

“Permit me, then, to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country’s cause, a Declaration of Independence; and call upon the world, and the great God who governs it, to witness the necessity, propriety and rectitude thereof. … Let us, therefore, act like men inspired with a resolution that nothing but the frowns of Heaven shall conquer us.”
– excerpt of a letter from Nathanael Greene to Samuel Ward of the Continental Congress, January 4, 1776

Washington’s quote of similar sentiment inspired one of Our t-shirts:

“No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the People of the United States.”

Find yours HERE.

Nathanael Greene

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President James Madison
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James Madison and Tyranny of the Majority: Rage or Render?

On this day in 1711 (by the old style Julian calendar) David Hume is born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

So what does that have to do with Our Lost Founding?

David Hume died on August 25, 1776, early on in the American Revolution. Still, his essay, “Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth,” impacted Founding Father James Madison as he wrote “Federalist No. 10.” Several notable Founders wrote the Federalist Papers in favor of ratifying the Constitution. In essence, Madison argued that creating a large republic would mitigate tyranny of the majority.

James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution and the Father of the Bill of Rights. He was also the fourth President of the United States.

Rage?

Madison instructs:
“A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State.”

Render?

On June 20, 1785, James Madison wrote “To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia A Memorial and Remonstrance”:

“It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him. This duty is precedent, both in order of time and in degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society. Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governour of the Universe: And if a member of Civil Society, who enters into any subordinate Association, must always do it with a reservation of his duty to the General Authority; much more must every man who becomes a member of any particular Civil Society, do it with a saving of his allegiance to the Universal Sovereign.”

James Madison

Also, on this day in 1865, John Wilkes Booth is killed 12 days after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

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Francis Bacon The Father of Science
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Bringing home the Bacon on Earth Day

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) is known as the Father of the Scientific Method. After all, he developed it.

That’s great, but what does Francis Bacon have to do with Our Lost Founding?

In fact, Bacon played a leading role in creating the British Colonies of Virginia and the Carolinas. Furthermore, he is believed to have drafted two Virginia Colony charters. As such, he is arguably among the Founding Fathers of the United States of America.

Nature

In a confession of faith he wrote:
“I Believe that nothing is without beginning, but God; no nature, no matter, no spirit, but one, only, and the same God. That God, as he is eternally almighty, only wise, only good, in his nature; so he is eternally Father, Son, and Spirit, in persons.”

He added:
“[He] created heaven and earth, and all their armies and generations; and gave unto them constant and everlasting laws, which we call nature.”

Francis Bacon The Father of Science

 

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Samuel Adams Paul Revere artwork
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Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and the “shirt” heard around the world

On this day in 1775, the famous ride of American patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes helps Samuel Adams and John Hancock evade capture by British troops.

British troops marched out of Boston on a mission to confiscate American weapons and gunpowder at Concord. They are also determined to capture Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock at Lexington.

So, Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback from Boston to warn Adams and Hancock. They also alerted the Minutemen, who had armed themselves and were prepared for the British.

The American Revolution begins early in the morning of the following day, with the “shot heard around the world.”

As Illustrated By…

Below is a side-by-side of the engraved bust portrait of Samuel Adams by Paul Revere and the Our Lost Founding shirt inspired by it. Thankfully, they sold well leading up to the November 2016 election, and beyond. These Founding Fathers continue to remind us all that when we vote we are “accountable to God and… Country.”

Find yours in the shop, HERE.

Samuel Adams Paul Revere artwork

 

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