ch heretofore
have been unsocial and exclusive have become our friends.

The annual period of rest, which we have reached in health and
tranquillity, and which is crowned with so many blessings, is by
universal consent a convenient and suitable one for cultivating personal
piety and practicing public devotion.

I therefore recommend that Thursday, the 26th day of November next, be
set apart and observed by all the people of the United States as a day
for public praise, thanksgiving, and prayer to the Almighty Creator and
Divine Ruler of the Universe, by whose ever-watchful, merciful, and
gracious providence alone states and nations, no less than families and
individual men, do live and move and have their being.

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

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington, this 12th day of October, A.D. 1868,
and of the Independence of the United States the ninety-third.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

By the President:
WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
_Secretary of State_.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

EXECUTIVE ORDER.

WASHINGTON, _December 17, 1867_.

It is desired and advised that all communications in writing intended
for the executive department of this Government and relating to public
business of whatever kind, including suggestions for legislation,
claims, contracts, employment, appointments, and removals from office,
and pardons, be transmitted directly in the first instance to the head
of the Department to which the care of the subject-matter of the
communication properly belongs. This regulation has become necessary
for the more convenient, punctual, and regular dispatch of the public
business.

By order of the President:

WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

_Secretary of State_.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 104.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

_Washington, December 28, 1867_.

By direction of the President of the United States, the following orders
are made:

I. Brevet Major-General E.O.C. Ord will turn over the command of the
Fourth Military District to Brevet Major-General A.C. Gillem, and
proceed to San Francisco, Cal., to take command of the Department of
California.

II. On being relieved by Brevet Major-General Ord, Brevet Major-General
Irvin McDowell will proceed to Vicksburg, Miss., and relieve General
Gillem in command of the Fourth Military District.

III.