o hereby name Thursday, the thirtieth day of
November next, as a day of general thanksgiving and prayer, to be
observed as such by all our people on this continent and in our newly
acquired islands, as well as those who may be at sea or sojourning in
foreign lands; and I advise that on this day religious exercises shall
be conducted in the churches or meeting-places of all denominations, in
order that in the social features of the day its real significance may
not be lost sight of, but fervent prayers may be offered to the Most
High for a continuance of the Divine Guidance without which man's
efforts are vain, and for Divine consolation to those whose kindred and
friends have sacrificed their lives for country.

I recommend also that on this day so far as may be found practicable
labor shall cease from its accustomed toil and charity abound toward the
sick, the needy and the poor.

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

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington this 25th day of October, A.D. 1899, and
of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and
twenty-fourth.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

By the President:
JOHN HAY,
_Secretary of State._

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas by joint resolution "to provide for annexing the Hawaiian
Islands to the United States," approved July 7, 1898, the cession by the
Government of the Republic of Hawaii to the United States of America, of
all rights of sovereignty of whatsoever kind in and over the Hawaiian
Islands and their dependencies, and the transfer to the United States
of the absolute fee and ownership of all public, Government, or
crown lands, public buildings, or edifices, ports, harbors, military
equipment, and all other public property of every kind and description
belonging to the Government of the Hawaiian Islands, was duly accepted,
ratified, and confirmed, and the said Hawaiian Islands and their
dependencies annexed as a part of the territory of the United States and
made subject to the sovereign dominion thereof, and all and singular the
property and rights hereinbefore mentioned vested in the United States
of America; and

Whereas it was further provided in said resolution that the existing
laws of the United States relative to public lands shall not apply to
such lands in the Hawaiian Islands, but the Congress of the United
States shall enact special la