On the next day, 20th October, 1744, there was issued the usual
proclamation for thanksgiving: "Forasmuch as, amidst the many rebukes of
Divine Providence with which we are righteously afflicted, more especially
in the present expensive and calamitous war, it has pleased God to favor
us with many great and undeserved mercies in the course of this year,"
particularly in preserving the life and health of the King, the Prince and
Princess of Wales, &c.; in the restraint hitherto given to the Indians
near the frontiers of this Province, &c.: therefore, the twenty-second day
of December is to be observed as a day of thanksgiving throughout the
Province. It will be noticed that nothing is said concerning the season or
the crops in any of these thanksgiving proclamations, and it would seem
that that matter was not thought of any account as compared with the
health of his Majesty the King and the royal princesses.
[Here are three proclamations issued on the 18th, 19th, and 20th October,
1744, the first in relation to a "heinous riot," the second a bloody
declaration of war, and the third for a public thanksgiving.]