Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-26
AGIRLs GLIMPSE OF WASHINGTON
l7s9-lss9.

From an autobiography of Mrs Quincy. wife
of Josiah Quincy, of l772-ls64. written for her
children, and privately printed many years
ago, We take the following account of her wit
Messing, when young girl, the Inauguration
of General Washington, in New York. April 50.
17s9
This record becomes more interesting while
the great republic. from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific. is celebrating the centennial anniversary
OF Washingtons Inauguration.
Mrs. Quincy WAS the daughter of John ana
Sophia kemper Morton. Of New York:
After the Federal Constitution was adopted.
remember seeing Gen. Washington land on
the sd OF April, 1883, and make his entrance
INTO New ork. wnen he came TO take the office
of President of the United States | was at a
window IN store on the wharf when he was
received Carpets were spread TO the carria re
prepared for him; but he preferred walking
through the crowded streets. attended by the
governor and many officers and gentlemen He
frequently bowed to the multitude. and took
on his hat to the ladies at the windows, who
waved their handkerchiefs and threw flowers
before him, and shed tears OF joy and con-
graduation. The whole city was one scene of
trlumphal rejoicing. His name in every form
or decoration appeared on the fronts of the
houses. and the streets he passed through to
the governors mansion were ornamented with
llags, SILK banners OF various colors. wreaths of
flowers and branches of evergreen. Never
did any enjoy such a triumph as Washington
who indeed read his history in nations
eyes"
On the SOth of April. 1889. Washington took
the oath OF Office as President of the United
States. The ceremony took place in the balcony
of the old Federal hall. as it was afterward
named, which stood in the center of four
streets. l was on the roof OF the first house in
Broad street. which belonged TO Capt. Prince
fha tnr hAr - Il.
near to Washington that could almost hear
him speak. The windows and roofs of the
houses were crowded. and in the streets the
throng was so dense that it seemed as if one
might literally walk on the heads of the people
The balcony of the hall was in full view of the
assembled multitude. In the center of il was
placed table, with a rich covering of red
velvet and upon this was crimson velvet
cushion, on which lay large and elegant
Bible.
This was all the paraphernalia for this august
scene. All eyes were fixed upon the balcony
when, at the appointed hour, Washington en-
tered. accompanied by the chancellor of the
state of New York, who was to administer the
oath; by John Adams, the Vice President: Gov
ernor Clinton, and many other distinguished
men. To the great body of the people he had
probably never been seen except as a military
hero. The first in war was now to be the first
IN peace. His entrance on the balcony was
announced by universal shouts of joy and well
come. He was dressed in a suit of black velvet
and his appearance was most dignifed and
solemn. Advancing to the front of the balcony
he laid his hand on his heart and bowed several
times, and then retired to an armchair near
the table. The populace seemed TO under
stand that the scene had overcome him. and
were hushed at once into profound silence
After few moments the general arose and
came forward; Chancellor Livingston read the
form of oath prescribed by the Constitution;
Washington repeated it after him. resting his
hand on the Bible. The chancellor took the
Bible to raise 1t to the lips of Washington: he
stopped and kissed the book. At that moment
signal was given, raising the flag upon the
steeple of the hall, general discharge of artil-
lery from the battery, all the bells in the city
rang out peal OF joy. and the multitude be-
fore us sent forth such shout as seemed to
rend the skies.
The President bowed again to the people,
and then retired from a scene such as the
proudest monarch could never have enioved
the delight not only of his own nation and
people, but of all mankind