Whereas, on account of the increased price of copper and expense of coinage, I have thought it would be for the benefit of the United States to reduce the weight of the copper coin of the United States 1 pennyweight and 16 grains in each cent and in like proportion in each half cent, and the same has since the 27th day of December last been reduced accordingly: 

I hereby give notice thereof and that all cents and half cents coined and to be coined at the Mint of the United States from and after the said 27th day of December are to weigh, the cents each 7 pennyweights and the half cents each 3 pennyweights and 12 grains.

In testimony whereof I, the said George Washington, President of the United States, have caused the seal of the United States to be hereto affixed and signed the same with my hand.

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Philadelphia on the 26th day of January, A.D. 1796, and of the Independence of the United States the twentieth.

Go.  WASHINGTON.

By the President: 
  TIMOTHY PICKERING,
    Secretary of State.

[From Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, December 28, 1799.]

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the Congress of the United States, “in honor of the memory of General George Washington,” have this day “Resolved, That it be recommended to the people of the United States to wear crape on the left arm as mourning for thirty days,” and “that the President of the United States be requested to issue a proclamation notifying to the people throughout the United States the said recommendation:” 

Now, therefore, I, John Adams, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim the same accordingly.

[SEAL.]

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Philadelphia, the 24th day of December, A.D. 1799, and of the Independence of the United States the twenty-fourth.

JOHN ADAMS.

By the President: 
  TIMOTHY PICKERING,
    Secretary of State.

[From the Daily National Intelligencer, December 15, 1860.]

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

A RECOMMENDATION.

WASHINGTON, December 14, 1860.

Numerous appeals have been made to me by pious and patriotic associations and citizens, in view of the present distracted and dangerous condition of our country, to recommend that a day be set apart for humiliation, fasting, and prayer throughout the Union.

In compliance with their request and my own sense of duty, I designate Friday, the 4th day of January, 1861, for this purpose, and recommend that the people assemble on that day, according to their several forms of worship, to keep it as a solemn fast.

The Union of the States is at the present moment threatened with alarming and immediate danger; panic and distress of a fearful character prevail throughout the land; our laboring population are without employment, and consequently deprived of the means of earning their bread.  Indeed, hope seems to have deserted the minds of men.  All classes are in a state of confusion and dismay, and the wisest counsels of our best and purest men are wholly disregarded.