The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-02-14
From the New York Sunday Times.
The Inauguration of Washington as
President, April 80, 1889.
BY HENRY A. BUCKINGHAM.

ueht OF tho Inltcu STATES must ever Dc u memo
rable era in the history Of the United State,
That day witnessed the completion of the govern
ment, and from that day We must date our con
stituional birth as nation.
The House of Representatives met in this city
in the old Federal Hall, but did not form quo
rum until the first Of April. The Senate was un
able to obtain 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 sixty -nlne votes
every vote cast by the Stnies-was declared Pre-
sident, ana John Adams Vice President
A message was then dispatched to Mount Yer
non 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
first magistrate Of a free people On his way, he
was everywhere received with accamatons
shouts and cheers His reception under an arch
erected over bridge at Trenton, the scene OF
his famous exploit in the winter Of l7T6, was pc
culiary touching. A band Of girls, dressed IL
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 Ezabethtowp, where he res
ted for the night.
On the morning the 23d, which tradliien says
was msgnfcently clear, several barges left White
hall for the purpose 0f escorting Washington to
the city. A committee from both Houses Of Con.
gress. the Chancellor Of the State, and several
other functionaries, with the heads Of Depart.
mcnts under the old articles Of confederation were
ON board, and they reached Ellabethtown about
ten o'clock in the .vIfIoon.
The barge destined to convey Washington to
the city, was splenddy fitted up with flags and
decorations, and manned by thirteen Of the most
re- pectable shipmasters, to represent the number
Of the States. She WAS commanded by Comodo. e
Nicholson Of revolutionary fame, and the Cox.
swain was Capt. 1hos Randall, the founder and
endower Of the Sailors Snug Harbor,-When
Washington embarked, the shipmasters, acting as
sailors rose with their oars, maD OF war fashion
and at signal when the cannon commenced IL
ring, they seated themselves, let fall, and pulled
from the place Of embarkation into the stream.
The procession was formed in regular order
boat after boat. decorated in the most splendid
manner, falling into the line and when they pas
sed from the Kills into the bay, where auCther
fleet was in waiting to Join the proce ssion the
united iotilla, together with the sail boats that
hung around, could not have numbered less than
a thousand barges and vessels, all making their
, way To the city rs fast as oars and wind could
carry them. Old men who witnessed the sight
describe the scene as most splendid. Talk to them
of professions Of steamboats, and steamships in
our bay or public occasions nowadays, and YOU
will hear them exclaim immedaely-"Ah! New
York will never see such another scene as the Ian.
ding of Washington"
About twelve o'clock the 6atillas urarcl the ui'
ty, when the shipping at anchor in the bay. con,
ssting of vessels of all nations. with several men
Of war, at once hoisted their national flng, dis.
playing also every signal aloft in the breeze
The noon Of that day was glorious one. The
sun shone clear, the air was gently bland, and
| the waters of the bay, covered by innumerah'e
craft, large and small made a magnificent and
! splendid panorama before the eyes Of the vast
crowds assembled on the Battery to witness the
! pageant. 1t was n scene and hour worthy the
MAN, "the observed Of all observers" on that me
morable day.
There was one vessel in the bay, directly Of
the Battcry-a Spanish sloop war-whose ain
gular appearance created some little dissatsinc
! tcn. Whilst every other ship was dressed out in
| flags she displayed simply the national ensign
The people on the Battery and in the ilotil!a be.
gan to mutter indignation on the "Dons," when
their dissatisfaction was changed to instant adm
ration just as the barge containing Wa.hingt' =
came abreast OF the Spanish ship, the flags of all
nations, with her private signals, were run up OF
every mast of the ship, and, from her b boom tC
her stern, they fluttered in the breeze. Nor wa.
/ this all her yards were manned by the crew
who gave three cheers and a salute Of .hrteer
guns was fired from her deck The whole was SO
Unexpectedly and beautifully done in compliment
to Washington, that he rose in the barge, raised
his hat, and bowed in return.
! At Murrays wharf (still so called at the foot
of Wall street. platform and stairs were erected
: r,r, IL liz. ,,f tln oil n
vast concourse had assembled to greet HIM; anG
the moment he set foot on the wharf a salve o
artillery was let off by company under the com
pany under the command Of Capt, John Van
Dyck# A large procession was Immediately for
med Of the military, the civil authorities, foreign
ministers and citizens, and they escorted Washing
ton to the residence Of Governor George Clinton
in Pearl street, who occupied The large double
mansion which fronted the present Cedar street
known few years ago rs Rcdmonds United
States Hotel. Washington walked in the process
sion, side by side with his old companion in arms
Governor Clinton.
THE INAUGURATION.
! The sOth Of April, 1889, was the day fixed
upon for swearing Washington into office. At AZ
early hour in the morning, the churches Of the
various congregations were thrown open, service,
! held. aud prayers offered to heaven for its bles
sings on the new government which that day wa:
to 90 into operation And truly heaven has bles
sed US in the sixty years that have passed
awas since that event Al twelve o'clock precise.
ly, the procession was formed to escort the Pres
dent from his residence to Cherry street, to Fe
deral Hall where he was to be sworn into office
The Grand Marshal was Col, Morgan Lewis
assisted by Major Morton and Major Van HON as
aids, The military division consisted of Col
Bauman's regiment Of artillery, Capt Van by.
ek's company, squadron OF dragons under
Capt. Stokes, u battalion of infantry under Cap
tains Swartwout and Stcddiford, and the German
Guards, Commanded by Capt Serbia.
| After reaching the mansion OF Washington, the
President elect entered carriage attended by
John jay, Gen Knox, and Chancellor Livingston
and the procession moved from Cherry to Queen
street. (pcarD down Queen to Eroad, aud up
Broad street to Federal Hall The latter bull
ding occupied the spot now the location OF the Gus
tom house 1t was large and handsome cdico
built by French architect, and 1t extended, ar
cado fashion over the sidewalk, supported by pill
lars Above was an open balcony and hers
Washington, in full view Of the assembled multi
tude, was to take the oath of offices as the first
President of the United States. The procession
halted in Broad street and formed in two lines
facing inwardly, through which advanced thu
majestic figure Of Washington, arrayed in suit
entirely Of American manufacture. lie was accom-
'Capt Van Dyek died a few ycnrsngc, at an ad
yanced age. lie wasan officer ot the revolution
full ot anecdote, loylal and witty to the last
trhc present building, oecupledby Firth Il Hal
n In did moi then Ilcr ppntl street