Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-25

George Washington and John Adams were
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 atiame everywhere,
and the intense admiration for the noble
chieftain; so that his journey, instead of be-
4 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 We'd with each
other in honOring e hero of the Revolu-
ton and the first President OF peaceful
republic. Among the displays was long
avenue OF laurels through which Washing
ton was escorted Al Gray's Ferry, in Penn
sylvania AS the President-elect passed
under the last arch, 4 boy, concealed in
the foliage above dropped upon his head a
handsome laurel crown. The act aroused
enthusiastic demonstrations among the
spectators 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 EIiZabethtOwn 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 Varick, 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 its wake craft of every description. All
the vessels in the harbor, moving and at
anchor, were lavishly dressed with flags and
other emblems of rejoicing, the Spanish
Galveston displaying a variety
of national cOlors from its rigging. A sloop
under full sail contained twenty-five gentle
men and ladies, who sang an ode of well
come to the tune of God Save the King"
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 |
were carpeted and decorated Governor |
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 |
in the street 1t was difficult to |
form procession among the excited inhab-
tants, who were desperately struggling |
with each other in an effort to see General |
Washington, but after some delay this was
finally accomplished
W. shington was escorted to the house Sc
ected for his official residence, large,
jhree-story brick structure, at the corner
If Cherry street and Franklin square, ad-
dining where the Harper's publishing
house now stands Every house and build-
NC along the route was decorated with
Tags, silk banners, floral and evergreen