nds of fraternal regard and generous cooperation.

For these great benefits it is our duty to praise the Lord in a spirit
of humility and gratitude and to offer up to Him our most earnest
supplications. That we may acknowledge our obligation as a people to
Him who has so graciously granted us the blessings of free government
and material prosperity, I, William McKinley, President of the United
States, do hereby designate and set apart Thursday, the twenty-fifth
day of November, for national thanksgiving and prayer, which all of
the people are invited to observe with appropriate religious services
in their respective places of worship. On this day of rejoicing and
domestic reunion let our prayers ascend to the Giver of every good and
perfect gift for the continuance of His love and favor to us, that our
hearts may be filled with charity and good will, and we may be ever
worthy of His beneficent concern.

[SEAL.]

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

Done at the city of Washington this 29th day of October, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, and of the
Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-second.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

By the President:
JOHN SHERMAN,
_Secretary of State_.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas satisfactory proof has been given me that vessels of the United
States in ballast which proceed to Mexico with the object of devoting
themselves to pearl fishery and fishing on the Mexican coasts or for the
purpose of receiving and carrying passengers and mail or of loading
cattle, wood, or any other Mexican product and which shall go directly
to ports open to general commerce so that thence they may be dispatched
to their destination, and steam vessels of the United States are
exempted from tonnage duties in Mexican ports;

Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the act of Congress
approved July 24, 1897, entitled "An act to authorize the President to
suspend discriminating duties imposed on foreign vessels and commerce,"
do hereby declare and proclaim that from and after the date of this, my
proclamation, Mexican vessels in ballast which proceed to the United
States with the object of fishing on the coast thereof or for the
purpose of receiving and car