Whereas both Houses of Congress did on the 20th instant request the
commemoration, on the 23d instant, of the one hundredth anniversary of
the surrender by George Washington, at Annapolis, of his commission as
Commander in Chief of the patriot forces of America; and
Whereas it is fitting that this memorable act, which not only signalized
the termination of the heroic struggle of seven years for independence,
but also manifested Washington's devotion to the great principle that
ours is a civic government of and by the people, should be generally
observed throughout the United States:
Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do
hereby recommend that either by appropriate exercises in connection with
the religious services of the 23d instant or by such public observances
as may be deemed proper on Monday, the 24th instant, this signal event
in the history of American liberty be commemorated; and further, I
hereby direct that at 12 o'clock noon on Monday next the national salute
be fired from all the forts throughout the country.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
[SEAL.]
Done this 21st day of December, A.D. 1883, and of the Independence of
the United States the one hundred and eighth.