Huntsville gazette., 1889-05-04


structure or even to remodel the old one.
Fortunately, in this emergency. some of the
prominent and wealthy men subscribed
enough money, some thirty-t thousand
dollars, necessary to make the alterations.
When completed, it was. for that period an
imposing structure.
The assembling of the first Federal Con-
gress after the adoption OF the constitu-
tion, was fixed for March 4, 1879. The day
was ushered in by the ringing of bells and
the boom of cannon. Owing to the sever
ity Of the weather, the muddy condition Of
the country roads and the general incon-
veniences of travel, only eight Senators
and thirteen Representatives not enough
for quorum, were present. Rivers and
brooks that usually could be forded at
particular places were oyerhowing their
banks, making this kind of passage i'm
possible. The Raritan river, at New
Brunswick, N. J., and the Delaware river
were crossed in scows, upon which car
riages were driven. Travel wasso impeded
that it was not until over month later,
April g. that a quorum of Congressman
had assembled, and on that date they met
and organized The first business was
opening and counting the votes for Presi-
dent and Vice-President, to which offices
duly declared elected
General Washington left Mount Vernon
for New York on the morning of April 16.
Before his departure he wrote to Henry
Knox that his feelings were not unlike
those of culprit going to the place of ex-
ecution." Washington wished to make the
trip to New York as quietly and with as little
show as possible but he soon found that this
was out of the question, owing to the pa
triotic ardor that was af1ame everywhere,
and the intense admiration for the noble
chieftain; so that hin journey, instead of be-
ing devoid of incident and ostentation, was
characterized by the widest enthusiasm OF
the citizens all the way from Mount Vernon
to Federal Hall. Towns and cities along
the route were in the highest pitch of
patriotic excitement, and Wed with each
other in honoring tne hero of the ReVolu-
ton and the first President of q peaceful
republic. Among the displays was long
avenue of laurels through which Washing
ton was escorted at Gray's Ferry, in Penn
sylvania. AS the President-elect passed
under the last ARCH a boy concealed in
the foliage above, dropped upon his head a
handsome laurel crown. The act aroused
enthusiastic demonstrations among the
spectators A triumphal arch was erected
by ladies at Trenton. Riding upon his
white charger, Washington passed under
this, and as he did so. thirteen beautiful
young ladies strewed flowers before the
hero, at the same time singing an ode
especially composed for the occasion.
Upon reaching Elizabethtown Point,
Washington was received by a committee
of Congress, Elias Boudinot, chairman, with
whom were Robert R. Livingston, Chan
cellor of the State, Secretary Jay, Secre-
tary Knox the Commissioners of the Treas
ury, Mayor Duane and Recorder Yarick, of
New York, and several other officials A
barge, elegantly decorated, and manned by
thirteen masterpieces in white uniforms,
was waiting at this point to con-
vey Washington and his party to
the city. AS it moved away, other
barges, covered with decorations, fell into
line This procession came through the
Kill Won Kull between New Jersey and
Staten Island) and up the bay, gathering
in it's wake craft of every description. All
the vessels in the harbor, moving and at
anchor were lav1shly dressed with flags and
other emblems of rejoicing, the Spanish
man -ofwar Galveston displaying variety
of national colors from it's rigging. A sloop
under full sail contained twenty-five gentle
men and ladies, who sang an ode of well
in which every body within sound eagerly
joined Band music from boats on every
side, continual cheering and the boom Of
artillery from the war vessels and neigh
boring forts filed the air, echoing and re-
echoing over the waters
The landing place was Murray's wharf,
near the foot of Wall street where there
was ferry Here the stairs and ratings
od taH
Clinton formally received :, the President
elect, and an enthusiastic crowd that had
been waiting expectantly at the ferry made
the air ring with tumultuous cheering as he
appeared in the street 1t was difficult to
form procession among the excited inhab-
itants, who were desperately struggling
with each other in an effort to see General
Washington, but after some delay this was
finally accomplished
Washington was escorted to the house So
lected for his official residence, a large,
three-story brick structure, at the corner
of Cherry street and FRANKLIN square, ad-
Joining where the Harpers publishing
house now stands. Every house and build
ing along the route was decorated with
flags, silk banners, floral and evergreen
garlands Men, women and children OF all
degrees hocked through the streets, shout
ing and waving hats and handkerchiefs in
their almost delirious enthusiasm The
name OF Washington was not only upon
every lip, but displayed in ornamental
arches under which the procession passed
The official residence was known as the
Walter Franklin House. 1t had been occu-
pied by Samuel Osgood, of the Treasury
Board, who moved out to give room to
Washington and his family. Shortly after
arriving at his new home, Washington was
called upon and cong ratulated by Govern
ment officials, foreign Ministers, public
bodies, military celebrities and many pri-
yate citizens He dined with Governor
Clinton that evening, at the latters resi-
dence in Pearl street Many of the streets
were brilliantly Illuminated.
Between the date of Washington's g arrival
and his Inauguration, the city was overrun
with visitors and sight-seers from all parts
of the country. All the hotels and even
private mansions were crowded Excite
ment ran high. There was an Unsuitable
desire prevalent to get look at Washing
ton, who had been described as the noblest,
grandest man human eyes ever saw. Old
people expressed their readiness to die af-
ter having once seen the First President.
Impatiently every body wait ed for the