Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-23
Martha Washington-Ane OF
the First Estimates
of His Character.
Prominent Men of His Time-Personal
Appearance of the Eminent
soldier Statesman.


the birth of George Washington is of more
than usual value as patriotic reminder
in the year 1889, because it falls within
the year that marks the hundredth an
niversary of his Inauguration as the first
President of the United States. The latter
anniversary event is to be celebrated in
the the city of New York within
the next fifty days as the last of
our great centennials The RECORD
UNION has therefore deemed the occasion
of the recurrence of Washington's birthday
a fitting time in which to present to its
readers some interesting historical matter
concerning the inauguration, which is to
be quite closely repeated in April, with
President Benjamin Harrison prominent
participant in the imposing ceremonies
planned. In publishing this matter, the
REcoRD-UNIoN will quote literally and
whenever possible literally from standard
histories and historical papers, and will
especially quote from paper read before
the New York Historical Society, October
,, 1888, by Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, the
brilliant and successful editor of the Maqa-
zine Of Anlerican History lin which the
paper appeared in December, 1881, a
monthly journal that ought to be read by
ALL THE PEOPLE
1t is doing more in our opinion to give
to the world the truth concerning Ameri-
can history than any other literary infu-
ence. 1t is likewise potential agency in
cultivating the patriotic spirit, and in
giving constant new impetus to American
historic research. No other influence does
so much to clear away doubts and develop
and establish truths concerning the history
of the Republic Mrs Lamb is one of the
most interchangeable of historical students
The results of her labors are not limited
merely to her own writing, but are found
in the great mass of historic papers she
secures from the pens of able writers, and
likewise in the infinite number of commu-
nications she calls out and publishes upon
American history The cuts used in this
article we are permitted to use through
the kindness of Mrs. Lamb, for whose con-
scientious and untiriDg literary work we
have the profoundest respect. The lady is
a graceful writer, lays on colors delicately,
but firmly, is very broad in her estimate of
public characters and very correct, rarely,
if ever, over-estimating or installing true
values in character or in historic and lit
erary matter While treating Of the in
auguration of Washington, we do not in
tend to limit this paper to that subject
exclusively, but will present other inter-
estiDg matter relating to Washington as
President and as General and the foremost
of patriots
RETROSPECTIVE
A new Congress created under the Con-
stitution was to have met in New York
March 4th, but it was April ist before a
quorum OF the House had assembled. Mrs.
Lamb says:
"Most of these had been obliged to make
the Journey from distant States on horse
back or in springless stages, for it was too
early in the season to drag their own char
lots over the primitive roads, rendered
nearly impossible by ,he March storms,
and it was not every Congressman who had
a chariot of his own. They came into the
city weary and worn, rejoicing to reach a
haven where they could unpack their
crumpled velvets and satins, FURNISH their
shoe-buclles, and submit their heads 10 the
barber for style and powder 1t is instruct
i've to observe the picturesque costumes in
which the wise men OF that day advocated
republican simplicity Even those who
were the most pronounced in the censure
of aristocratic influences looked sharply
after the starch in their rufiies, and the
status of their hair-dresser. Alexander
White. one of the Representatives from
Virginia, who had distinguished himself
for eloquence and patriotism in the old
Congress, and now at the age Of 40 was
one Of the most promising characters in
the new body, wrote on the Ist OF April
concerning the situation, naming the cam
didates for Speaker
In letter dated April /, 1889, he COM
planned bitterly of the delay in the assem-
bling of the houses, and said that when
the returns of the election we're opened
Charles Thompson would he selected to
convey the dispatches TO the President.
Wrote of the House as composed of sober,
solid, old-charter folks, and that the Senate
would be ga very respectable body
On the 9th of April, by the arrival o.
r. II. Lee, the Senate secured quorum
and on the 9th the two houses organized
in the new Federal Hall, on Wall street
This had been the old City Hall, from
which, for nearly 100 years, legislation
for the country had gone forth When
the votes were counted Washington was
found TO have received every vote, and
that John Adams had been chosen Vice.
President The Secretary of Congress
Charles Thompson, was at once-the nexl
morning dispatched 70 Mount Vernon tc
notify Washington. He had been fifteen
years Secretary 10 Congress, and had rem
dered invaluable service to bis country
HIS wife was Hannah Harrisoa. sister O
the father of General W. II. Harrison
who became President and was HE grand