We do most devoutly and thankfully acknowledge the great Goodness
and Mercy of Almighty God, who hath afforded Us his Protection and
Assistance in the just War, in which, for the common Safety of Our
Realms, and for disappointing the boundless Ambition of France, We
are now engaged; and hath given such signal Successes to Our Arms,
both by Sea and Land, particularly by the Defeat of the French Army in
Canada, and the Taking of Quebec; and who hath most seasonably granted
Us at this Time an uncommonly plentiful Harvest: And therefore, duly
considering that such great and publick Blessings do call for publick
and solemn Acknowledgments, We have thought fit, by and with the Advice
of Our Privy Council, to issue this Our Royal Proclamation, hereby
appointing and commanding, That a General Thanksgiving to Almighty God,
for these His Mercies, be observed throughout Our Kingdom of England,
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, upon Thursday
the Twenty ninth Day of November next. And, for the better and more
religious and orderly Solemnizing the same, We have given Directions to
the most Reverend the Archbishops, and the Right Reverend the Bishops
of England, to compose a Form of Prayer suitable to this Occasion,
to be used in all Churches and Chapels, and other Places of Publick
Worship, and to take Care for the timely dispersing thereof throughout
their respective Dioceses. And We do strictly charge and command, That
the said publick Day of Thanksgiving be religiously observed by all Our
loving Subjects, as they tender the Favour of Almighty God, and upon
Pain of suffering such Punishment as We may justly inflict upon all
such as shall contemn or neglect the Performance of so religious and
necessary a Duty.
Given at Our Court at Kensington, the Twenty third Day of October,
One thousand seven hundred and fifty nine, in the Thirty third Year
of our Reign.