Show LETTER FROM GOVERNOR LEARY TELLING OF conditions ON ISLAND OF GUAM baltimore md jan 4 captain peter leary U ti A stationed at fort mchenry has received a letter from his brother captain richard P leary governor of guam in the ladrone islands which contained a number of interesting te documents pertaining to the affairs of the new possessions of the united states the first thanksgiving proclamation ever seen by the inhabitants of guam aas issued by governor leary and follows whereas it hath please almighty god in ills divine providence to grant to us during the past year a continuance of his good will and unbounded unbound od love as exemplified in ills bestowal of the countless blessings of health happiness peace prosperity protection and freedom of worship exemption from devastating scourges urges ot epidemic diseases and storms release from the arrogant and tyrannical dom of unworthy preceptors precept ors and in the enjoyment of other unceasing it is proper that a day be set aside as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to our supreme benefactor tor all these gifts therefore in conformity with the time honored custom of the united states government I 1 richard P leary captain united states navy governor of the island of guam do hereby appoint and set aside thursday november as a day of thanksgiving and prayer and all persons in this island are recommended to abstain from unnecessary work on that day and to assemble in their respective places of worship at baich times as may be convenient to give thanks and praise to almighty god for his merciful goodness and loving kindness tu us and all men governor leary has already caused slavery to be abolished in the islands compelling a number of to leave the place and has amended the marriage laws in regard to polygamy one of his recent orders states that it Is prohibited to import or sell intoxicating liquors in the island except by a special license issued by the government and that violation of the order will be punished by a fine of or imprisonment tor thirty days or by both for a second of tense all 0 the offenders goods may be confiscated drunkenness says the order Is tle chief source of all crime and trouble in this island and must and shall cease A second order says for tho piu lection of government interests and as a safeguard against the machinations devices and schemes of speculators aad adventurers it is hereby ordered ilu all persons who claim alp of land in this island or its cica are prohibited from deku or transferring any of such property without first obtaining th consent 0 the government Vo lolon of this order may be punished pu nishel by itne or imprisonment or both captain leary states that tie is mak lug every effort to teach the natives to be self supporting an order issued to further this idea follows until otherwise ordered the exportation of hogs cattle fowl eggs rice corn and sweet potatoes from this is in i s hereby forbidden artic 0 food may be delivered to vessels in sufficient quantities for the subsistence of those on board during their stay in port and their passage to the next port of destination the delivery of such articles of food to ships la prohibited without a government license in consequence of the liability of riots the following older was issued public celebrations of the feast days of the patron saints of villages will not bo permitted the church and its members may celebrate their feast |