Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-03-08

by :" the oldest inhabitant."
The Procession, being formed proceeded to the
Capitol in the order described in following col
umn; considerably lessened in the brilliancy of its
display, however, by the rain which fell during its
march.
Within the Capitol more interesting scene pre-
scented itself than on the approach to it. The ave-
nues to the building had all been closed and care
fully guarded till the hour appointed in the plan Of
proceedings. But, when that hour did arrive, the
rush was fearful. No limbs, happily, were broken,
though injuries both to clothes and persons GER
tainly were sustained The gendemen's gallery
in the Senate chamber was crowded as in moment
while the stairs leading To- it and large space about
the door long continued to be occupied by strug-
Cling mass, vainly hoping to work their way in
The circular gallery, opposite to the gentlemen's
gallery was given up to the Ladies, on condition,
however, that beaux and brothers should be left be-
hind and, accordingly, when these doors also were
thrown open, such din of sweet sounds burst
forth, and such waving of plumes, famed by am
brosal breath, astonished the delighted air, as would
call for poet duly to describe il.
In the area below, the officials might be seen ar
ranging seats and making preparation for the august
assemblagc that was soon to enter. Senators and
Representatives in Congress began to drop in, with
now and then one of our naval or military heroes
in his imposing military dress and then the cram
ing Of necks and peerng of eager curious eyes, and
the pressing Of ncessant queries, showed that to
large portion Of those who beheld it the scene was
entirely new. At length the Marshal Of the District
- ~ IL H. -c IL
made their appearance, at the head Of the Judges of
the Supreme Court i'll their robes, who, entering the
space in front of the Secretary's table, occupied
seats in semicircle on the right of the Chair of
the President Of the Senate A solemn, beautiful,
and very appropriate Prayer was delivered by the
Chaplain of the Senate.
The Senate being called to order, the new Sena-
tors were qualified; among whom we recognised,
with cordial satisfaction, the noble intellectual coun-
tenances Of several good Wings and true, the elo-
quent advocates and guardians Of the Union and the
Constitution whose voice has been as batle-cry in
some of the darkest days of our changeful history.
When all the new Senators had taken their seats,
the appearance of the VICE PRESIDENT elect attract
ed, as well by the dignity as the snow-like white
ness of the hair which distinguishes Mr.. DALLAS
the immediate notice of all spectators The oath
of office was administered to him by the Hon. Mr.
MANouM, the President of the Senate, who imlne
diatey vacated his seat, surrendering it to the
new occupant.
A brief pause ensued; after which M DALLAS
rose and delivered, with great selfpossession and
composure the brief Address of which copy will
be found in another part Of this days paper.
The Diplomatic Corps entered the hall while the
Vice President was speaking, and took their seats
on the left Of the chair, opposite the Judges. II
the appearance Of Major General ScoTr, with his
towering form and lofty pumes, and other General
and Staff Officers, i'll full uniform, called forth COM
ments and inquiries in all quarters, who can tell the
impression on one of the sons OF the West, now
visiting cities for the first time, of the brilliant,
many -coored, dazzling spectacle OF official national
costumes now presented to his gaze
"Who is that gentleman in the bright red coat :"
" Which is the British Minister!' " (Which is the
French 2! "Who is that with the large epaulets 2
",Where is the Spanish Minister" "Who are
all those in the back row THAT one, with the gold
snuff-box in his hand !--that young man, with the
black moustaches Z" Where is the Me1ica1
Minister 7" hundred questions like these might
be heard among the crowd in the gallery, and the
man who could answer seemed to be looked TO as a
sort of oracle.
At length the two PRESIDENTS, actual and elect,
entered not like Richard and Bolingbroke, but side
by side, and took their seats below the Clerk S
table, and with their faces towards the audience,
and then, after brief pause, the order of arrange
ments was read aloud, the parties falling into their
places as they were respectively named, and the
whole mass left the Senate Chamber and proceeded
to the Eastern Portico.
Here temporary stage had been erected, as at
the Inauguration of President HARRISON, over the
great flight Of steps and from the front of this the
PRESIDENT ELECT read to as many OF the vast mass
which filled the space in front as could hear him,
the Address which win be found in the following
columns He read il in firm tone OF voice, with
the air Of a profoundly impressed by 1t HIM
self, and DESTROYS to impress it upon others
The delivery of the Inaugural being concluded,
the Oath Of Office was administered to the PREsI-
DENT by the CHEF JusTIcE of the United States,
and the new President was saluted by loud cheers
from the surrounding multitude.
The Procession was then again formed and es-
cortcd the PRESIDENT to the Presidential Mansion,
where, IN the course of the afternoon he received
the congratulations Of large number of his fellow
citizens.
fRom TIE mADIsosrAx or MONDAY EVENING.