The Spirit of '76
by Benjamin Cowell
Pub. Boston 1850
Page 237-8-9-40
The news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis with his whole army, spread like
wild-fire throughout the whole country, and produced joy and exultation,
wherever it was carried. The moral effect of this victory was powerful beyond all
calculation; it revived the hopes of the despairing; it dissipated all doubts
as to the final result of the contest, and laid the foundation for an
honorable peace. England was satisfied that Lord Chatham told but the truth when
years before he declared they "could not conquer America." Many a faint-hearted
man, who had remained thus far "on the fence" undecided what course to pursue,
now "jumped off" on the side of liberty and independence. There was no
apprehension now, as to the future.
Washington's official account of this victory arrived in Philadelphia on the
24th and was immediately laid before Congress and being read, the following
resolution was passed unanimously: "Resolved, That Congress will at two o'clock
this day, go in procession to the Dutch Lutheran Church and return thanks to
Almighty God for crowning the allied arms of the United States and France with
success, by the surrender of the whole British army undr the command of Earl
Cornwallis."
On the same day a committee was raised to report, in their "opinion the most
proper mode of communicating the thanks of the United States in Congress
assembled to Gen. Washington, Count Rochambeau and to Count de Grasse for their
effectual exertions in accomplishing this illustrious work."
On Friday, October 26th, Congress issued a "proclamation" for a general
thanksgiving throughout the United States. The committee appointed to prepare this
proclamation, consisted of Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Varnum and
Mr. Sherman. This proclamation, which, as has been supposed, was from the pen
of Mr. Witherspoon, is so pure and perfect in its character and originating as
it did from such a chaste, classic and devotional mind, we cannot do better in
closing our sketches for 1781 than to give it a place in this connection.
PROCLAMATION
"Whereas it hath pleased Almighty God, the Father of mercies, remarkably to
assist and support the United States of America in their important struggle for
liberty, against the long continued efforts of a powerful nation, it is the
duty of all ranks to observe and thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of
his providence in their behalf. Through the whole of the contest, from its
first rise to this time, the influence of divine providence may be clearly
perceived in many signal instances of which we mention but a few.
"In revealing the councils of our enemies, when the discoveries were
seasonable and important, and the means seemingly inadequate or fortuitous; in
preserving and even improving the union of the several states, on the breach of
which, our enemies placed their greatest dependence; in increasing the number and
adding to the zeal and attachment of the friends of liberty; in granting
remarkable deliverances,and blessing us with the most signal success, when affairs
seemed to have the most discouraging appearances. In raising up for us a
powerful and generous ally, in one of the first of the European powers; in
confounding the councils of our enemies, and suffering them to pursue such measures,
as have most directly contributed to frustrate their own desires and
expectations; above all, in making their extreme cruelty to the inhabitants of these
states, when in their power, and their savage devastation of proprty, the very
means of cementing our union and adding vigor to every effort in opposition to
them.
"And as we cannot help leading the good people of these states to a
retrospect on the events which have taken place since the beginning of the war; so we
recommend in a particular manner to their observation, the goodness of God, in
the year now drawing to a conclusion. In which the confederation of the
United States has been completed, in which there have been so many instances of
prowess and success in our armies, particularly in the Southern states, when,
notwithstanding the difficulties with which they had to struggle, they have
recovered the whole country which the enemy had overrun, leaving them only a post
or two on or near the sea; in which we have been so powerfully and effectually
assisted by our allies, while in all the conjunct operations the most
perfect harmony has subsisted in the allied army; in which there has been so
plentiful a harvest, and so great abundance of the fruits of the earth of every kind,
as not only enable us easily to supply the wants of our army, but gives
comfort and happiness to the whole people; and in which after the success of our
allies by sea, a general of the first rank, with his whole army has been
captured by the allied forces under the direction of our commander-in-chief.
"It is therefore recommended to the several states to set apart the
thirteenth day of December next, to be religiously observed as a day of thanksgiving
and prayer; that all the people may assemble on that day, with grateful hearts,
to celebrate the praises of our gracious Benefactor; to confess our manifold
sins; to offer up our most fervent supplications to the God of all grace, that
it may please him to pardon our offences, and incline our hearts for the
future to keep all his laws; to comfort and relieve all our brethren who are in
distress or captivity; to prosper our husbandmen, and give success to all engaged
in lawful commerce; to impart wisdom and integrity to our councillors,
judgment and fortitude to our officers and soldiers, to protect and prosper our
illustrious ally, and favor our united exertions for the speedy establishment of
a safe, honorable and lasting peace; to bless all seminaries of learning and
cause the knowlege of God to cover the earth, as the waters cover the seas."
To be continued
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