Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-05-09
FIFTY YEARS AGO!
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.


GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
As every thing relating to GENERAL
WASHINGTON is read with interest by every
lover Of his country, we copy from the New
York Commercial Advertiser Of Tuesday
April Odd, an account of his arrival at New
York, that day, fifty years ago, TO take upo'
himself the administration Of the Genera
Governme and of the splendid pageant
attending his reception.
The two Houses of Congress- were first
organised on the 9Th Of April, l1S9. and the
votes Of the electoral colleges for President
md Vice President counted. Charles
Thompson, long secretary Of the old rcvo'
lntionary Congress, was immediately de-
spa,ched TO Mount Vernon, to summon the
beloved hero from the shades Of retirement
His progress, the whole distance from Vir'
ginia to New York, was one OF triumph.
At Philadelphia he was met by Governor
ST. Clair, General MlfflIn, and other distn-
guished citizens, with the most raPturous
en,husiams. A grand banquet was prepared,
Of which he partook, and addresses were pre-
scented to him from all classes Of the people,
expressive of their gratitude for his past
services their Joy for his present elevation
and their confidence in his future admins.
ua,ion. As he passed through the streets,
the wekin rang with their joyous acclama-
tons. and shouts of "long live George
Washington, the father Of his people," re-
sounded from thousands Of voices. But
however hattcring would have been these
spontaneous marks Of popular affection to
ordinary mortals, the conduct ot the great
chief on The occasion illustrated the ropubli.
can virtue of dignifed humanity. and showed
how excellent is glory when earned by vir'
tue. Instead Of assuming the pomp OF roy
atty, or Of any personal superiority, he sought
throughout to prove himself not only the
friend Of the people, but one OF them.
An escort attended him from the hospltn-
BILE city Of Penn, until he was received by
the citizens of Trenton, into which place he
was conducted by the civil and military au-
thorties of New Jersey, with every patriotic
demonstration ofrespect and Joy. This place
had been rendered memorable by the cap
ture of the IIessians, and by the repuse of
the British troops near the bridge over the
Delaware, the night before the battle of
Trenton. Recollecting these circumstances,
the ladies' of that city formed and executed
the design of ,estifying their gratitude to the
chieftain for the protection OF their daughters,
by celebrating those actions in their pageant.
For this purpose .riumphal arch was raised
on the bridge, Of twenty feet span, supported d
hy thirteen pillars, each Of which was en-
twined with wreaths Of evergrecns. The
arch was covered with branches OF laurel
and decorated on the inside with evergreens
and flowers. Suitable inscriptions were
tastefuily disposed, intertwined with flowers
Of various hues. On the centre OF the arch
above stood dome, bearing the dates of the
glorious actions referred 10, inscribed IN let
tiers of gold, and enwrcathed with flowers
The summit of the dome displayed large
sun flower, which, directing to the sun, sig
nified, in the language Of Flora-"Io you
alone"-an emblem Of the unanimity of the
people in his favor. Assembled beneath the
arch were many ladies', surrounded by their
daughters, to welcome their former dcliverer
and defender. AS the chieftan passed be-
meath the arch, choir of girls, dressed in
white, and crowned with wreaths and chap
lets of flowers, sang sonata composed Tor
the occasion, commencing
"welcome mighty chief once morc."-
Each Of the white robcd misses carried a
basket Of flowers, which, at the concluding
line
strcw your hero's way with howers"
were scattered in his path as he advanced
The pageant was simple aud beautiful and
the general returned thanks for the compli-
ment in a card, which was published at the
time, and in which the whiterobed maldens
were particularly mentioned.
From thence 10 Eliza zabethtown, the journey
OF the chieftain was continued pageant, III
which no means we're left untred by the
people to testify their attachment to the ruler
of their choice. At this point, preparations
had been made 10 receive their illustrous
fellow-citizen by the authorities ofNcw York.
A splendid barge. constructed for the occa-
sion, and elegantly decorated, had been de-
spatched thither TO receive the beloved
soldier and statesman, in manner cores
ponding with his exalted character, and the
dignity Of the station he was about to ILL.,
The barge was rowed by thirteen masters OF
vessels, Thomas Randall. Esq. acting as
coxswan, and commanded by Commodore
Nicholson. A drputation from the Senate
aud House Of Representatives, together with
the Chancellor Of the state, the Adjutant
General, and the Recorder Of the city, pro.
seeded to Elizabcthtown in the barge, which
was accompanied by two others, one being
occupied by the BOARD of the Treasury. and
the other by the Minister Of Foreign Affairs
and the Secretary ol War.
The embnrka,ion took place on tho morn.
ing Of April 23d,-as clear and beautiful dry
as could have been desired. A salyo Of ar.
tillcry announced the departure of the Iloiilla
from the.Jersey shore, aud tic spectacle, ns
the Acct Of boats which had joincd the pro
ccssion emerged FROM the narrow pass Of the
Kills into the noble bay of New Yoik. was
Of the uos, sninniing description. FROM
every point, the smaller craft VI all kinds aud