[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington, this 17th day of October, A.D. 1876, and of the Independence of the United States one hundred and one.

U.S.  GRANT.

By the President: 
  JOHN L. CADWALADER,
    Acting Secretary of State.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

From year to year we have been accustomed to pause in our daily pursuits and set apart a time to offer our thanks to Almighty God for the special blessings He has vouchsafed to us, with our prayers for a continuance thereof.

We have at this time equal reason to be thankful for His continued protection and for the many material blessings which His bounty has bestowed.

In addition to these favors accorded to us as individuals, we have especial occasion to express our hearty thanks to Almighty God that by His providence and guidance our Government, established a century ago, has been enabled to fulfill the purpose of its founders in offering an asylum to the people of every race, securing civil and religious liberty to all within its borders, and meting out to every individual alike justice and equality before the law.

It is, moreover, especially our duty to offer our humble prayers to the Father of All Mercies for a continuance of His divine favor to us as a nation and as individuals.

By reason of all these considerations, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do recommend to the people of the United States to devote the 30th day of November next to the expression of their thanks and prayers to Almighty God, and, laying aside their daily avocations and all secular occupations, to assemble in their respective places of worship and observe such day as a day of thanksgiving and rest.

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. 1876, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and first.

U.S.  GRANT.

By the President: 
  HAMILTON FISH,
    Secretary of State.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, May 20, 1876.

SIR:[114] The President directs me to say that the several Departments of the Government will be closed on Tuesday, the 30th instant, to enable the employees to participate in the decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the rebellion.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

C.C.  SNIFFEN, Secretary.

[Footnote 114:  Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, August 10, 1876.

By direction of the President, General W.T.  Sherman and Brigadier-General M.C.  Meigs, Quartermaster-General United States Army, are appointed members of the commission to examine “the whole subject of reform and reorganization of the Army of the United States,” as provided by section 4, act approved July 24, 1876, “making appropriations for the support of the Army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877, and for other purposes.”