Happy Wednesday Y'all! I forgot to tell you on Monday to go take a peek at my antique/unique blog for this weeks' selections ~ click here. I have lots of pretties up this week, so let me know if there is anything you'd like to purchase. If you need a shipping quote, don't hesitate to email me or leave a comment. :)
"My station is new; and, if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground."
--George Washington in a letter, January 9, 1790
--George Washington in a letter, January 9, 1790
Next Tuesday will be an historic day for the United States. As I prepare to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama, our nation's first African-American President, I wonder what it was like for our first President, George Washington, when he placed his hand on the Bible and pledged his allegiance to his country. His inauguration ceremony was held in New York, the nation's capital at that time. So, let's go back to those young and hopeful days of 1789 when George received word at his home, Mt. Vernon, that he was to be the one to lead our nation. His journal entry for April 16th, 1789 reveals his thoughts:
"About 10 o'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity, and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York in company with Mr. Thompson, and Colonel Humphries, with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations."
In those days, there were no airplanes or super-fast trains, so the new President had to make his way from Virginia to New York by land travel. It took almost seven days, but as he entered several larger cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia, he was greeted by well-wishers and celebrations. Finally on April 23rd, he made it to Manhattan. The Dutch Legation secretary, Rudolph von Dorsten, gave an account of what he saw when Washington arrived:
"President George Washington made his entry into New York on Thursday, April 23d. On the previous day a barge left this city. The barge was built expressly by the citizens of New York, and was rowed by thirteen pilots, all dressed in white. A committee of three Senators and five Representatives on behalf of Congress, and three of the first officers on behalf of New York, went to Elizabethtown in New Jersey, to welcome the President, and to await his arrival there. His Excellency was also accompanied by some well-equipped sloops and by a multitude of small craft with citizens of New Jersey and New York on board. A Spanish royal packet-boat, happening to be anchored at the entrance of the harbor, at sight of the barge, on board of which was the President, fired a single shot, whereupon that vessel was dressed at once with the flags of all nations. When the presidential barge passed, the Spanish vessel saluted his Excellency by firing thirteen guns, which was repeated by the Battery, and again thirteen guns were fired by the fort when the President landed. His Excellency was received by Governor George Clinton, the mayor of the city and other officers, and, after a procession had formed, consisting of some companies of uniformed citizens and the merchants and other citizens of the city, the President walked with his escort and, Governor Clinton at his side, to the house prepared by Congress for his use."
Coat and Breeches set worn by George Washington, possible inauguration outfit, c.1789, photo courtesy of Mt. VernonIt took almost a week for the House and the Senate to decide how to do the inauguration ceremony. After all, there was no precedent! :) On April 30th, a good week after Washington had arrived, it was time. The President, Vice-President John Addams, and the members of Congress stepped out onto the balcony of the Federal Hall on Wall Street and began the first ever swearing-in ceremony. At the time we had yet to form a Supreme Court, so there wasn't a Chief Justice. New York's highest judge, Chancellor Robert R. Livingstone, did the honors. Afterwards, the new President made a short speech in the Senate Chambers. William Maclay, one of Pennsylvania's senators, made notes of what he saw after the swearing-in activities in his journal:
"The President advanced between the Senate and Representatives, bowing to each. He was placed in the chair by the Vice-President; the Senate with their president on the right, the Speaker and the Representatives on his left. The Vice-President rose and addressed a short sentence to him. The import of it was that he should now take the oath of office as President. He seemed to have forgot half what he was to say, for he made a dead pause and stood for some time, to appearance, in a vacant mood. He finished with a formal bow, and the President was conducted out of the middle window into the gallery, and the oath was administered by the Chancellor. Notice that the business done was communicated to the crowd by proclamation, etc., who gave three cheers, and repeated it on the President bowing to them. As the company returned into the Senate chamber, the President took the, chair and the Senators and Representatives, their seats. He rose, and all arose also, and addressed them. This great man was agitated and embarrassed more than ever he was by the leveled cannon or pointed musket. He trembled, and several times could scarce make out to read, though it must be supposed he had often read it before. He put part of the fingers of his left hand into the side of what I think the tailors call the fail of the breeches (corresponding to the modern side-pocket), changing the paper into his left (right) hand. After some time he then did the same with some of the fingers of his right hand. When he came to the words 'all the world', he made a flourish with his right hand, which left rather an ungainly impression. I sincerely, for my part, wished all set ceremony in the hands of the dancing-masters, and that this first of men had read off his address in the plainest manner, without ever taking his eyes from the paper, for I felt hurt that he was not first in everything. He was dressed in deep brown, with metal buttons, with an eagle on them, white stockings, a. bag, and sword." 
Opening of George Washington's first inaugural address,
Opening of George Washington's first inaugural address,April 30, 1789 (photo..Natl. Archives)
~"The Inauguration of George Washington, 1789," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2005).