Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-11-12

auguration Of Washington is taken from
"Tales and Traditions of New York."
published in The N. Y. Sunday Times
The Inauguration Of WasIiingtO tom
as President, April 3Oth, 1850.
|, ~--->~->@~~~---~>~~--~~e~--
The Inauguration Of Washington as
first President Of the United States must
ever be a memorable era 10 the his
tory Of the United States. The day
Witnessed the completion Of the govern
ment, and from that day we must date
our constltu utional birth as . nation.
\ The House of Representatives met IN
this city, in the old Federal Hall bot
did not form quorum until the lst OF
April. The Senate was unable 10 form
quorum. uuli the 9TH The next busi-
ness 10 order was To examine the votes
for Presiden, aud Vice President; when
George Washington having received six
'iy-nIne votes~-every vote cast by the
sta,es-was declared President, and john
Adams Vice President
A messenger was then despatched to
Mount Vernon, TO announce to the
Father of his Country" his election,
and request his attendance at New York,
the seat of Government, to enter upon
the discharge Of his high and honorable
Office, the fret mag isirate OF free peo-
Pile. On his way he was everywhere re-
ceived with acclamatIoos, shouts anG
cheers. His reception under an arch,
erected over a bridge at Trenton, the
~, f,., ln.t in ha xut mt A y
Of l716, was peculiarly touching. A
band OF girls, dressed 10 white, strewe6
the way before him with flowers, sing
ING al the same time an ode which hb6
been written expressly for that occasion.
On the 22d Of April, he reached Eliza
belhtown, where he rested for the night.
On the morning of the 23d, which ,ra-
dictiou states was magnlficently clear,
several barges left Whitehall, for the
purpose OF cscorti0g Washington to the
GUY. A committee from both Houses of
Congress, the chancellor Of the state.
and several other high lunctionaries,
with the heads Of departments under the
old articles of confederation were on
board, and they reached EIizabethtown
about ten o'clock in the forenoon.
The barge destined to convey Wash
ington TO the city was spleDdidly fitted
up with flags and decorations, aud man
ned by thirteen of the most respectable
ship masters, To represent the number OF
The States. She was commanded by
Commodore Nicholson, OF Revolutionary
fame, and the coxswain was Capt. Thomas
Randall, the founder and endower of the
Sailors Snug Harbor When Washing
ton embarked, the shipmasters, acting as
sailors, rose with their oars, man-ot-war
fashion; and at a signal when the cannon
commenced firing, they seated them
selves, let fall, aud pulled from the place
OF embarkaton into the stream.
The procession was formed in regular
order boat after boat-decorated ~ the
most splendid manner, falling into the
line and when they passed from tho
kills into the bay, where another fleet
was in waiting to Join the procession, lao
united ilotlla, together with the salb0ats
that hung around could not have number.
ed less than ii thousand barges and ves-
sells, all making their way to the city as
fast as oars and wind could carry them.
Old men who witnessed the sight. de-
scribe the scene as most splendid. Talk
To them of professions Of steamboats, and
steamships in our bay on public occasions
nowadays, and you will hear them ex-
claim mmediarely-"Ah New York
will never see such another scene rs tho
landing OF Washington"
About - o'clock the hoilllas neared
the city, when the shipping at anchor 10
the bay, consisting of vessels Of all ma
tons, with several men Of war, at once
hoIsted their national flags, displaying
also every signal aloit IN the breeze
The noon OF that day was q glorious one.
The sun shone clear, the air was gently
bland, and the waters OF the bay covered
by innumerible craft large and small,
made a magnificent aud splendid panors-
ma before the eyes OF the vast crowds
assembled on the Battery to witness the
pageant. 1t was a scene worthy tho
man, ''the observed Of all observers" Oh
that memorable day.
There was une vessel IN the bay d.
rec,ly off the Bauery-a Spanish sloop
oil war-whose singular appearance crca-
ted some little dissatisfaction. Whilst
every other ship was dressed out in flags,
she displayed simply the national ensign.
The people on the Battery aud in tho
flo,illa began to mutter Indignation on
the "Dons,' when their dissatisfaction
was changed to instant admiration. Just
MS the barge containing Washington
came abreast of the Spanish ship, the
flags Of all nations, with her private slg-
mails, were run up on every mast OF tho
ship, and from her Ilb-boom TO her stein
they hsttered in the breeze. Nor was
this all her yards were manned by the
crew, who gave three cheers, and a salute
Of thirteen guns was fired from her deck.
The whole was 80 unexpectedly and
beautifully done in compliment TO Wash
ngion that he rose in The barge, raised
ls hat and bowed in return.
Al Murray g wharf, still so called, AT tho
DOT of Wall street, platform and stairs
we're erected for the landing Of the Pres
In. al h.I