ovember, to be kept and observed as a day of thanksgiving and
prayer throughout our land.

On that day let all our people forego their usual work and occupation,
and, assembled in their accustomed places of worship, let them with one
accord render thanks to the Ruler of the Universe for our preservation
as a nation and our deliverance from every threatened danger, for the
peace that has dwelt within our boundaries, for our defense against
disease and pestilence during the year that has passed, for the
plenteous rewards that have followed the labors of our husbandmen,
and for all the other blessings that have been vouchsafed to us.

And let us, through the mediation of Him who has taught us how to pray,
implore the forgiveness of our sins and a continuation of heavenly
favor.

Let us not forget on this day of thanksgiving the poor and needy, and by
deeds of charity let our offerings of praise be made more acceptable in
the sight of the Lord.

Witness my hand and the seal of the United States, which I have caused
to be hereto affixed.

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington, this 4th day of November, A.D. 1896, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and
twenty-first.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

By the President:
RICHARD OLNEY,
_Secretary of State_.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas on June 21, 1890, the President of the United States by
proclamation reserved certain lands in Juneau and Douglas City, Fort
Wrangell and Sitka, in the Territory of Alaska, for public buildings,
barracks, parade grounds, parks, wharves, coaling stations, etc., which
are fully set forth and particularly described in said proclamation; and

Whereas a treaty of cession was exchanged and proclaimed on June 20,
1867, whereby the Russian Empire ceded to the United States the
Territory of Alaska; and

Whereas said treaty, by Article II, provided, _inter alia_, that--

It is, however, understood and agreed that the churches which have been
built in the ceded territory by the Russian Government shall remain the
property of such members of the Greek Oriental Church resident in the
territory as may choose to worship therein.

And whereas there were included among the lands hereinbefore referred
to as reserved on June 21, 1890, certain lands in and about the town
of Sitka, in said Territory of Alaska, which are claimed by the Holy
Orthodox Catholic Apostol