Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-09-04
The Inauguration of Washington as Presi.
dent, April Goth. 1889.


dent, April Goth. 1889.
Thd following description ofthe Inauguration
of Washington is taken from Tales and Tradi.
tone of New York" published in the NY. Sun
day Times:
The Inauguration OF Washington as first
President of the United States must ever be
memorable era in the history Of the U. States.
That day witnessed the completion Of the Gov
eminent, and from that day we must date our
constitutional birth as nation.
The House of Representatives met in this
city in the old Federal Hall. but did not form
quorum until the first Of April. The Senate
was unable to form quorum until the 9Th
The next business in order was to examine the
votes cast for President and Vice President :;
when George Washington having received six
ty-nine votes-every vote cast by the states
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 atten-
dance at New York, the seat of Government, to
enter upon the discharge of his high and honor
able Office, the first magistrate Of free people.
On his way he was everywhere received with
accamatons, shouts and cheers. His recep-
ton under an arch, erected over bli lge at
Trenton, the scene Of his famous exploit in the
winter of l776, was peculiarly touching. A
band of girls, DIRE ssed in white. strewed the way
before him with flowers, singing at the same
time an ode which had been written expressly
for that occasion. On the 22d of April. he
reached Elizabethtown, where he rested for the
night.
On the morning of the 23l, which tradition
Il.
left Whitehall, for the purpose of escorting
Houses of Congress, the chancellor of the state
and several other high functionaries, with the
hea Is of departments uhier the old articles OF
confederation were on bead and thav reached
Eiiz tb.thtow.l about u. clock IN the fore.
noon.
The barg, destined to convey Washington
to the city was splcn1idly fitted up with flags
and decorations, and mlnned 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 Washington embarked, the
shipmasters. acting as sailors, rose with theil
oars, mnn-oi-war fashion, and a signal, whcr
the cannon commenced firing, they seated them
selves. let fall. and pulled from the place of EN-
barkation into the stream.
! The procession was formed in regular order
boat after boat-dccoratrd in the most splen
did manner, falling into the line and when they
passed from the kills into the bay, where another
fleet was in waiting to join the procession, tho
united ilptllla together with the sail boat'
that hung around could not have numbered les
than thousand bargcs and vessels, all making
their way to the city as fast as oars ant
...,.t.
ed the sight, describe the scene as most splendid
Talk to them Of professions of steamboats, anC
steamships in our hay on public occasions nova
days, and you will her them exclaim immedi
atcly-"Ah! New York will never see such all
other scene as the landing of Washington"
About II o'clock, the lotlas neared thu
city, when the shipping at anchor in the bay
consisting Of vessels of all nations. with sevent,
men of war, at once hoi>ted their national flags
displaying also every signal alot in the breeze
The noon of that day was glorious one. The
sun shone clear, the air was gently bland, ant
the waters of the bay covered by innumerabl'
craft large and small, made magnificent ant
splendid panorama before the eyes OF the vas
crowds assembled On tn, Battery to witness
the Pageant. II was "A scene worthy the man
''the observed Of all observers" on that memora
bic day.
There was one vessel in the bay directly OF
the Battery Spanish sloop Of war--whos
singular appearance created some little dissats
) faction. Whilst every other ship was dresse,
out in flags, she displayed simply the natlona
, ensign. The people on the Battery and in tn
noilla began to mutter Indignation on tn
"Dons," when their dissatisfaction was change
to instant admiration. Just as the barge con
tanning Washington came abreast of the SPANS
ship, the flags of all nations, with her privat
signals were run up on every mast of the shiI
and from her jb-bOom to her stern they iluttere
in the breeze. Nor was this all her yards wer
manned by the crew, who gave three cheer
and salute of thirteen guns was fired from he
, deck. The whole was so UNEXPECTEDLY an
, beautifully done in compliment to Washingto
that he rose in the barge, raised his hat and bow
! ed in return.
AT Murray's wharf still so called, at the foe
of Wall street, platform and stairs were erect
: ed for the landing of the President elect. Her
a vast concourse had assembled to greet hi n :
and the moment he set foot upon the what SO
lutte of artillery was let oifby company unde
the command of Captain John Van Dyck.* .
large procession was Immediately formed of tn
military, the civil authorities foreign minister
and citizens and they escorted Washington t
u the residence of Governor George Clinton, i
Pearl street who occupied the large double mar
sion Wnich ironted tne present Ceuar street.
known few years ago as Redmond's Unite
States Hotel, Washington walked in the pre-
cession, side by side with his old companion
arms, Gov. Clinton.
THE ISAUG DURATION.
The 30th of April, l7s9,was the day fixed VI
:, on for swearing Washington into office. At a
early hour in the morning. the churches of ii
!, various congregations were thrown open, servic
held, and prayers offered to heaven for its bles
ings on the new government which that day wa
y to 60 into operation. And truly heaven h;