The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-04-27

brooks that usually could be forded at
particular places were Overlooking 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 a month later,
April q, that 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
George Washington and John Adams were
duly declared elected.
General Washington left Mount Vernon
for New York on the morning of April l6
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
triotfc ardor that was atialne everywhere,
and the intense admiration for the noble
chieftain; so that his 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 t 10 hero of the Revolu-
ton and the first President of a peaceful
republic Among the displays was long
avenue of laurels through which Washing
ton was escorted at Grays Ferry, in Penn
sylvania As the President elect passed
under the last arch, a boy, concealed in
the foliage above, dropped upon his head
In, he nN
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 committee
of Congress, Elias Boudinot, chairman, with
whom We're Robert Il. 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 Islandl and up the bay, gathering
In its wake craft of every description. All
tho vessels in the harbor, moving and at
anchor, We're lavishly dressed with flags and
other emblems of rejoicing, the Spanish
man Of-war Galveston displaying variety
OF national colors from its rigging. A sloop
under full sail contained twenty-five gentle
men and ladies, who sang an ode of wei
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
appeared in the street. 1t was difficult to
form a procession among the excited inhab-
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
lected for his official residence, large,
three-Story brick structure, at the corner
of Cherry street and Franklin square, adj
joining where the Harper's 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 hockcd 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 i'll 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-
vate citizens He dned with Governor
Clinton that evening, ut the latter's resi-
dence in Pearl street, Many of the streets
We're brilliantly Illuminated.
Between the date of Washington S arrival
and his inauguration the city was overrun
with visitors aad sght-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 at
ter having once seen the First President.
Impatiently every body waited for the
great day, April 80, the dawn OF a new era;
and when it finally came the citizens and
visitors were absolutely frantic with patri-
otto fervor. At daybreak National sa-
lutte was fired from the fort at the Bat
terry, and within short tim3 the city was
seething with excitement OF course all
business was suspended Thousands OF
Il a
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