By the President of the United States of America, a proclamation : As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of almighty God ... I do hereby recommend, that Wednesday the ninth day of May next be observed throughout the United States, as a day of solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer ... Given under my hand and the seal of the United States of America, at Philadelphia, this twenty-third day of March ... one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight ...