The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-28
IVENIY-SEYEN TEARS AGO.
Ceremonies Mt the Inauguration of James
buchanan.


When Buchanan was inaugurated on tho
4th OF March. 1857. Washington was hardly
more than "a village. scattered over territory
large enough for an immense city II contained
less than sixty thousand inha bi,ants. and what
were then considered the finest houses were
,n.t below the Capitol and above tn. avenue
1he fGsliionubie Eorthwes; part OF the city was
swamp. and even the negro huts which later
sprang ur hnd not yet appeared. The whole
countr" &c ntained less !hnn tirty IN iilons ri II
ponuintion. still. the records state that $50 QUO
strangers came TO see the Inaugural lion. aud
walked the streets to keen vain, being unable
70 procure lodgings Several Of the different
hotels. small as they were then had $40 guests
packed, halls, cellar and garrett.
:, March WAS a bleak winter day. and the
home at whentlands Pa. and had flnishei
breakfast before Ito started for Lancaster in
his carrlnEe., He had written and rewritten
change in it after he got to Washington 4
crowd Of Lancaster citizens came to Wheat.
music played while be rode into town with his
private secretary, Mr.. Henry. Harriet Lane.
ana a ,Ss y"uns ads in l 80
car waiting for him. built for the occasion by
robert Magraw,. railroad friend OF his. This
ed the scenes about whea,lands. President
Euehanans home; Al along the road from
tho President elect, bu. he arrived in Washing
ton two hours earlier than was expected and
the programme Of his reception here was
He, was driven at once to the National Hotel,
w WI, stu stands on Pennsylvania avenue;
here he was crowded with visitors. Nearly
seekers, and disinierestsd parties pushed this
ceived invitations. says Gohight to dine with
r ,g. Mt, Pierce s,s,hsn A Douglas and
All night Of tn. 50 q March, 1857. Congress
was Ia session. Tho 4,h broke brigh, and sun:
spFinN A il did hundreds Of yra ra
already at their stands to ge. an early watch
point for the procession. and tho City Hall
At IL O'Clock the procession was formed and 1t
marched to Wizards Hotel. at the head Of
the two Presidents. Pierce and Buchnnan,
were to meet. and To 20 TO tho Capitol in the
same carriage; President Pierce was a few
minutes late. He came in a private carriage
and she crowds cheered as he and Buchanan
shook hands a. the Fourteenth street door Of
pared for them. Win ths s P rode ssnatars bIs
lrr OF Pennsylvania and Foots. Of Vermont.
Tho was Ions I. made
clubs. and in ii were two Pennsylvanians Who
it i, ,b said had waked siI'y miles to be present
called him. One wagon represented peace
war. commerce, nnd agriculture, and boro n
feet, with a gorgeous liberty cap on its tor
The President elect was near the head
OF the procession and near him, through
which he had caught Of the National Hotel dis:
ease prove dangerous. At the Capitol $4,000
Beau Hickman was among them. passing from
one to another and soliciting small loans. The
inaugural address was delivered on the east
portico OF the Capitol and the President was
duly sworn In. As the oath was administered
close OF the inauguration there were cheers sal
yns Of artillery. and music by the Marine band
The esident then proceeded TO tho White
House. which ex-Presiden, Pierce had vacate
and here buchanan received the people. The
inauguration bail that night was held in q
room prepared for it in connection with the
City, Hal. and thousands wcra present. As
Buchanan came in, at $50 the band struck up
Hail TO tho Chief" and here another recap
ton was held for seyera! hours. when tho
President left at about midnight. He took
supper before he went away, and il is said that
tho feast on this occasion was very fine. Good
wine flowed like water. and there were 500 gal
Ions OF oysters and 500 chickens.