Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 11.djvu/807

 APPENDIX. PROCLA.lld.ATIONS. NOS. 14, 15. 7 63 N0. 14. Day of Public Humiliation appointed. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES- NO, 16, ISM_ A PROCLAMATION. THB two houses of the National Lerrislature haviuv b a `oint resolupegged their desire that, in the presentliime of public zalajmityjand war, a Qynsjy 1g;hI¥5iii§y’,,fin` he recommended to be observed by the people of the United States 33 a day of pointed as a day public humiliation and fasting, and of prayer to Almighty God for the safety °f. .P‘¥b“° h“‘ and welfare of these States, his blessinv on their arms and a speedy restoration mmm0D' of peace: I have deemed it proper, by this proclamation, to recommend that Thursday the twelfth of January next be set a art as a day on which all may have an opportunity of voluntarily offering, at the same time, in their respective religious assemblies, their humble adoration to the great Sovereivn of the Universe, of confessing their sins and transgressions, and of strengthening their vows of repentance and amendment. They will be invited by the same solemn occasion to call to mind the distinrruished favors conferred on the American people, in the general health which has been enjoyed, in the abundant fruits of the season ; in the progress of the arts instrumental to their comfort, their prosperity, and their security; and in the victories which have so powerfully contributed to the defence and protection of our country; a devout thankfulness for all which ought to be mingled with their supplications to the Benelieent Parent of the human race, that He would be graciously pleased to pardon all their ottences against Him; to support and animate them in the discharge of their respective duties; to continue to them the precious advantages {lowing from political institutions, so auspicious to their safety against dangers from abroad, to their tranquillity at home, and to their liberties, civil and religious; and that He would, in a' special manner, preside over the nation, in its public councils and constituted authorities, giving wisdom to its measures and success to its arms, in maintaining its ricrhts, and in overcoming all hostile designs and attempts against it; and findly, that, by inspiring the enemy with dispositions favorable to a just and reasonable peace, its blessinvs may be speedily and happily restored. U Given at the city of lVashington, the sixteenth day of November, one [L. thousand eight hundred and fourteen, and of the independence of the United States the thirty-eighth. J “Eb MADISON Aii -. No. 15. Pardon to certain Ojizmlers of Louiszana. Feb. 6, 1815. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. Arroyo the many evils produced by the wars which, with little intermission, Preamble. have atllieted Europe, and extended their ravagesonto other quarters of the globe, for a. period exceeding twenty years,_the_ dispersion of a considerable portion of the inhabitants of different .count.ries, in sorrow and in`want, has not been the least injurious to human happiness, nor the least severe in the trial of human virtue. It had long been ascertained that many foreigners, flying from the dangers of their own home, and that some citizens, forgetful of their duty, had co-operated in forming an establishment on the island of Barratama, near the mouth of the River Mississi pi, for the purposes of a clandestine and lawless trade. The government oi) the United rates caused the establishment to be broken up and destroyed ; and having obtained the means of desxgnatingthe oH`enders_of•every description, it only remained to answer the demands of Justice by inflicting an exemplary punishment. _ _ But it has since been represented that the offenders have manifested a sincere peuitenee ; that they have abandoned the prosecution of thejvorse cause for the sup rt of the best; and, particularly, that they have exhrbxted, in the defence of Iilbw Orleans, unequivocal traits of courage and tidelity. Oilenders, who have refused to become the associates of the enemy in the war, upon the most seducing terms of invitation, and who have aided to repel his hostile invasion of the territory of the United States, can no longer be considered as objects of punishment, but asobjects of a generous forgiveness.