Jane remained in New Hampshire as Pierce departed for his inauguration, which she did not attend. Pierce, the youngest man to be elected president to that point, chose to affirm his oath of office on a law book rather than swear it on a Bible, as all his predecessors except John Quincy Adams had done. He was the first president to deliver his inaugural address from memory. In the address he hailed an era of peace and prosperity at home and urged a vigorous assertion of U.S. interests in its foreign relations, including the 'eminently important' acquisition of new territories. 'The policy of my administration', said the new president, 'will not be deterred by any timid forebodings of evil from expansion.' Avoiding the word 'slavery', he emphasized his desire to put the 'important subject' to rest and maintain a peaceful union. He alluded to his own personal tragedy, telling the crowd, 'You have summoned me in my weakness, you must sustain me by your strength.'