our hearts to turn away from domestic contentions and commotions consequent upon a distracting and desolating civil war, and to walk more and more in the ancient ways of loyalty, conciliation, and brotherly love.  He has blessed the peaceful efforts with which we have established new and important commercial treaties with foreign nations, while we have at the same time strengthened our national defenses and greatly enlarged our national borders.

While thus rendering the unanimous and heartfelt tribute of national praise and thanksgiving which is so justly due to Almighty God, let us not fail to implore Him that the same divine protection and care which we have hitherto so undeservedly and yet so constantly enjoyed may be continued to our country and our people throughout all their generations forever.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of October, A.D. 1867, and of the Independence of the United States the ninety-second.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

By the President: 
  WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
    Secretary of State.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
  ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
    Washington, March 11, 1867.

* * * * *

II.  In pursuance of the act of Congress entitled “An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel States,” the President directs the following assignments to be made: 

First District, State of Virginia, to be commanded by Brevet Major-General J.M.  Schofield.  Headquarters, Richmond, Va.

Second District, consisting of North Carolina and South Carolina, to be commanded by Major-General D.E.  Sickles.  Headquarters, Columbia, S.C.

Third District, consisting of the States of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, to be commanded by Major-General G.H.  Thomas.  Headquarters, Montgomery, Ala.

Fourth District, consisting of the States of Mississippi and Arkansas, to be commanded by Brevet Major-General E.O.C.  Ord.  Headquarters, Vicksburg, Miss.

Fifth District, consisting of the States of Louisiana and Texas, to be commanded by Major-General P.H.  Sheridan.  Headquarters, New Orleans, La.

The powers of departmental commanders are hereby delegated to the above-named district commanders.

By command of General Grant: 

E.D.  TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 18.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
  ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE,
    Washington, March 15, 1867.

The President directs that the following change be made, at the request of Major-General Thomas, in the assignment announced in General Orders, No. 10, of March 11, 1867, of commanders of districts, under the act of Congress entitled “An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel States,” and of the Department of the Cumberland, created in General Orders, No. 14, of March 12, 1867: