Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-25
VOL. 3.---NO. Al.


tination was pretty we'll ascertained by the
multitude, from the course she was steering,
which they had closely observed; so that |
when she reached the stairs erected on Muir
rays wharf, where the admired of every ad- !
mlrer was to embark, the landing and the |
streets as far as the eye could extend, were
filled with crowds of human beings, anxious
to see their great benefactor. At the landing
the President was received by the Governor
OF the State of New York, and conducted with
military honors throughout an immense con-
course OF adml:ing friends, to the lodgings
prepared for his reception. In the evening,
the city was brilliantly Illuminated, and there
was fine display of fireworks from the Bat
terry.
Being myself, at that time, student OF
Princeton college, and these interesting scenes
taking place during the Spring vacation OF the
institution, 1t was IN my power to be present
and witness the greater part of them. In the
memorandum made by the general, in his pri-
vate Journal was the following statement:
"The display of boats which attended and
| Joined on the occasion, some with vocal, and
others with instrumental music on board-the
decorations of shps-the roar of cannon, and
the loud accamations of the people which rent
the sky as passed along the wharves, filled
my mind with sensations as painful as they
were pleasing''
Before the arrival of the President elect,
Vice President Adams reached the city, and
,ook his seat in the Senate, as the presiding
officer OF that august body; without doubt the
most learned and patriotic assembly in the
world. Both houses were then organized, &
while they were waiting the arrival of the
President elect, various ublects were moved
and discussed, relating to the forms and modes
OF conducting the public business that might
be brought before them; and, among other
topics, proposition was made to settle the
title, or, more properly, the style, in which
the President of the United States should be
addressed. On that subject various opinions
were expressed. 1t was proposed by some to
give him the title of g His Excellency." By
others, ellis Honor" and by others, the sim
pie address of Mr.. President" For some
time, the subject was discussed with serious
ness and good feeling but finally an effort was
made to laugh down the whole subject, and
bring it into rdcule With that view, res
olution was offered declaring that the title of
the President should be His High Might
ness" By that movement it was seen at once,
that it was time to dismiss the whole subject,
which was done, without arriving at any con-
clusion, or making any record of the procee-
ding.
The spacious edifce which then stood on
Wall street, Immediately facing the entrance
into Broad street, had been procured for the
accommodation of the two houses of Congress.
In front of the building there was capacious
balcony, ornamented with columns and rich
carved works communicating with the hall
occupied by the Senate. In that structure the
ceremonies of the Inauguration took place, on
the Both April, 1889, in full view of the sur
rounding multitude. 1t had been carefully
fitted up and richly and tastefuly furnished
for the occasion. The floor was covered with
costly carpcting, and the front and sides were
ornapented with damask curtains, gaIy trim
med, hanging in festoons from pillar to pillar,
SO adjusted as not to interrupt the view from
the streets below. had taken the precau-
ton in time, to obtain a safe, convenient po-
sition on the porch of house at one Of the
corners of the two streets, about so feet from
the balcony on which the ceremony was to be
performed.
At the appointed hour the President elect,
accompanied by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives, and their officers, appeared on
the porticO, when the air was made to Tesound
with shouts and huZzas, from the lips and
Threats Of more than twenty thousand enrap
tured spectators. Those bosterous express
ions of excessive JOY were, however, soon
hushe,I, and profound silence ensued--eVe-
~ eye being rivited on the illustrious man
who had defended and saved his country, and
every ear listening attentively.
" C0nticuere omnes, intentique ora tcnebo1t."
At that iuncture the venerable Chancellor
Livingston, of New York, advanced to Gen1
Washington, who was standing on the front
of the balcony, and presented an open Bible,
resting on damask cushion, ornamented with
tasseIs of gold, on which the President rever-
emily laid his right hand. The Chancellor
then in audible voice, read from the Constltu-
ton the oath directed to be taken by every
President of the United States, before he en-
tiers on the duties of his office The President
elect repeated the oath with great solemnity,
and bending his head, kissed the book. The
Chancellor, then turning and bowling grace
fully to the multitude, repeated these emphat-
ic words. with a very audible voice -
Long Hre George Washington, President Of
the United States.
Thus Indicating that he was installed with
out a title, and was to be addressed in the
simple language of &C Mr.. President" The
shouts which instantly followed that annunci-
alton, were almost deafening; and during their
continuance, the President again advanced to
the 1fOnt OF the balcony ana bowed very grace
fully to the multitude before him, and to those
on his right and left.
The ceremonies being thus concluded, the
President with the two Houses returned to the
Senate Chamber, where he delivered his inau-
gural address; after which they retired, by a
private way in the rear of the building, and
repaired to Saint Paul's, where appropriate re-
lgious exercises were performed. The Presi-
dent as was his custom on public occasions,
, was dressed in a suit of black velvet, with
short, black silk stockings, shoes, shoe buck
les, and knee buckles. His hair was turned
| back on his forehead, curled and powdered &C
cording to the fashion of the day, and gather
cred behind, in a square, black silk bag. He
had also a neat dress sword suspended at his
side. The symmetry of his finely formed per-
son, the ease and dignity OF his movements,
which were peculiar to himself, were observed
and admired by every beholder. Judging from
every thing which transpired on that occasion,
it was manifest that he was venerated by the
t nation, TO an unexampled degree.
Very respectfully, J. BURNETT.