USA > New York > New York City > History of New York city from the discovery to the present day, V.1 > Part 24
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Thus passed the 23d of July, 1788, in the City of New York,-a day which deserves to be remembered by the patriot, the politician, and the philosopher, as that on which the people of the first city in the Western World 37
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gave simultaneously the strongest and most enthusiastic demonstration of their attachment to the great princi- ples of "our Federal Union," as those principles were understood by the distinguished architects who formed the civil structure. On that occasion all narrow and big- oted distinctions were lost, and absorbed in that noblest of passions,-the love of country, and the determination to secure and preserve the blessings of civil and religious liberty. ESTO PERPETUA !
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CHAPTER II.
THE winter festivities of 1788-'89, however, were suc- ceeded by matters of a public nature, which quickened the pulse of the politician, and excited a lively degree of attention, not only in the City of New York, 1788.
but throughout the borders of the young republic.
1789.
The elections under the new Constitution had been held ; WASHINGTON-the man of all others " first in the hearts of his countrymen"-had been spontaneously designated by the people as their first Chief Magistrate under the new system; and the constituted authorities elect were about to assemble in New York, to give action to the new polit- ical machinery.' Congress, consisting for the first time of two branches,-a Senate and House of Representatives,- was to meet on the 4th day of March, 1789; and the thoughts of all were directed with deep solicitude to the period at which their labors were to be commenced.
The day, "big with the fate of Rome," at length arrived ; but it brought not a quorum of either House; for although the men of those days cannot be safely charged with a deficiency of patriotism, yet they had no sinister or ambitious purposes to accomplish, and, therefore, did not assemble in organized bodies of partisans at the first tap of the political drum. Adjourning over from day to day, until nearly the "ides of March " had arrived, with- out any accession being made to their numbers, on the 11th of that month the senators present jointly addressed
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a circular letter to the absentees, urging their prompt attention to assist in putting the Government into opera- tion. The request was repeated by letter on the 18th.
The House of Representatives was similarly circum- stanced. Only thirteen members appeared on the day appointed, and these were from the five States of Massa- chusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina,-a commonwealth which, though always proud and high-spirited, was then as anxious to come into the Union as she seems since to have been to break out of it. The members gathered in by degrees, though slowly; and the House, like the Senate, adjourned over daily, until the Ist of April, when a quorum appeared, and Frederick Augustus Mulilenburgh, of Pennsylvania, was elected Speaker. Among the most distinguished patriots then present were Roger Sherman, Fisher Ames, Richard Bland Lee, James Madison, Elias Boudinot, and Thomas Tudor Tucker.
The members of the Senate came in still more tardily; but, on the 6th of April, the arrival of Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, enabled them to form a quorum and commence their labors. John Langdon was elected presi- dent of the Senate, pro tem., and Samuel A. Otis, secre- tary. Both Houses thus being organized, they proceeded to business,-their first act being to canvass the votes returned for President and Vice-President, as prescribed in the new Constitution. At the time the election by the people was held, but ten States had placed themselves within the pale of the new Constitution. The whole number of votes cast was sixty-nine; and so entirely did the Father of his Country enjoy the affection of his chil- dren, that, without the aid of caucuses, or nominating con- ventions, every vote was given for GEORGE WASHINGTON. " If we look over the catalogue of the first magistrates of nations, whether they have been denominated presidents
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or consuls, kings or princes, where shall we find one whose commanding talents and virtues, whose overruling good fortune; have so completely united all hearts and voices in his favor,-who enjoyed the esteem and admi- ration of foreign nations and his fellow-citizens with equal unanimity ? Qualities so uncommon are no common bless- ing to the country that possesses them. But it was by these great qualities, and their benign effects, that Provi- dence had marked out the first head of this great nation, with a hand so distinctly visible as to have been seen by all men and mistaken by none." * By the Constitution, while it bore the unadulterated impress of the wisdom of its framers, and before it had been impaired by amend- ment, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes was to be declared the Vice-President. The lot fell upon one who, during the whole combat of the Revo- olution, had been in the halls of legislation what his illus- trious compeer had been in the field,-first in wisdom and foremost in action.t
The gratifying result having been thus ascertained agreeably to the constitutional forms, Charles Thomson, the secretary of the old Congress, was dispatched to Mount Vernon, as a commissioner, to notify the chieftain of his election. Meantime a discussion arose in both Houses, resulting in an irreconcilable difference between them, of a character at once delicate and interesting. It called forth great talent, and first awakened those feelings of democratic jealousy and distrust of titles and power, of which we have seen so much since. Not that our mod- ern republicans are opposed, per se, to titles of a subordi- nate character, since for this species of distinction no
* Inaugural Address of the first Vice-President-the elder Adams.
t The vote stood as follows: George Washington, 69; John Adams, 34; John Jay, 9; Robert H. Harrison, 6; John Rutledge, 6; John Hancock, 4; George Clinton, 3; Samuel Huntington, 2; John Milton, 2; and one each for James Armstrong, Edward Telfair, and Benjamin Lincoln.
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people on earth appear so fond, or in fact enjoy so much, or adhere to it with greater tenacity. Many of the most respectable citizens were constant listeners to the debates of which we have just been speaking; for they were not only interested in the principle involved, but loved to study the characters of those noble spirits who were now assembled to consummate the revolution which their wis- dom and valor had achieved, by reducing the discordant members of the republic to order, and adjusting the details of a government, under the firm but harmonious action of which, complicated as it was, it was hoped the principles ' of civil and religious freedom would for ages find shelter and protection. The question at issue was upon the adoption of some respectful title by which the President of the United States should be addressed in their official intercourse with him. The first proposition in the Senate was, that the official address should be " HIS EXCELLENCY." But this was not considered as sufficiently elevated. It was at length determined by that body, that the address should be-" His HIGHNESS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; AND THE PROTECTOR OF THEIR LIBERTIES." But the House of Representatives obstinately refused to sanction any title whatever, and declared that the constitutional address-" TO THE PRESIDENT"-was the only title which, as consistent republicans, they could sanction. Commit- tees of conference were appointed, but to no purpose. The indomitable spirit of the House of Representatives was not to be moved. The Senate finally resolved "that it would be proper to address the President by some respect- ful title; but, for the sake of harmony, they would for the present act in conformity with the House of Representa- tives." And thus the matter has rested to this day.
Summoned by the worthy messenger of Congress to repair to the seat of government and assume the high trust which had been conferred upon him by the people,
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the progress of the President-elect, from the shades of Vernon to New York, was like a triumphant procession along the whole distance. At Philadelphia he was met by Governor St. Clair, General Mifflin, and other distin- guished citizens, with the most rapturous enthusiasm. A grand banquet was prepared, of which he partook; and addresses were presented to him from all classes of the people, expressive of their gratitude for his past services, their joy for his present elevation, and their confidence in his future administration. As he passed through the -treets, the welkin rang with their joyous acclamations, and shouts of " Long live George Washington, the father uf his people," resounded from thousands of voices. But, however flattering would have been these spontaneous marks of popular affection to ordinary mortals, the con- duct of the great chief on the occasion illustrated the republican virtue of dignified humility, and showed how excellent is glory when earned by virtue. Instead of assuming the pomp of royalty, or of any personal superior- ity, he sought throughout to prove himself, not only the friend of the people, but one of them.
An escort attended him from the hospitable city of Penn, until he was received by the citizens of Trenton, into which place he was conducted by the civil and mili- tary authorities of. New Jersey, with every patriotic demonstration of respect and joy. This place had been rendered memorable by the capture of the Hessians, and by the repulse of the British troops near the bridge over the Delaware, the night before the Battle of Trenton. Recollecting these circumstances, the ladies of that city formed and executed the design of testifying their grati- tude to the chieftain for the protection of their daughters, : by celebrating those actions in their pageant. For this purpose a triumphal arch was raised on the bridge, of twenty feet span, supported by thirteen pillars, each of .
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which was entwined with wreaths of evergreens. The arch was covered with branches of laurel, and decorated on the inside with evergreens and flowers. Suitable in- scriptions were tastefully disposed, intertwined with flow- ers of various hues. On the center of the arch above stood a dome bearing the dates of the glorious actions referred to, inscribed in letters of gold, and enwreathed with flowers. The summit of the dome displayed a large sun-flower, which, directing to the sun, signified, in the language of Flora, " To you alone,"-an emblem of the unanimity of the people in his favor. Assembled beneath 'the arch were many ladies, surrounded by their daughters, to welcome their former deliverer and defender. As the chieftain passed beneath the arch, a choir of girls, dressed in white, and crowned with wreaths and chaplets of flowers, sung a sonata composed for the occasion, com- mencing-
" Welcome, mighty chief, once more."
Each of the white-robed misses carried a basket of flowers, which, as the concluding line was sung-
" Strew your hero's way with flowers," --
were scattered in the path as he advanced. The pageant was simple and beautiful; and the General returned thanks for the compliment in a card which was published at the time, and in which the white-robed maidens were particularly mentioned.
Thence to Elizabethtown, the journey of the chieftain was a continued pageant, in which no means were left untried by the people to testify their attachment to the ruler of their choice. At this point, preparations had been made to receive their illustrious fellow-citizen by the authorities of New York. A splendid barge, constructed for the occasion, and elegantly decorated, had been dis- patched thither to receive the beloved soldier and states-
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man in a manner corresponding with his exalted character, and the dignity of the station he was about to fill. The large was rowed by thirteen masters of vessels,-Thomas Randall, Esq., acting as cockswain, and commanded by Commodore Nicholson. A deputation from the Senate and 'House of Representatives, together with the Chan- cellor of State, the Adjutant-General, and the Recorder of the city, proceeded to Elizabethtown in the barge, which was accompanied by two others, one being occupied by the Board of the Treasury, and the other by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of War.
The embarkation took place on the morning of April 23d-as clear and beautiful a day as could be desired. A salvo of artillery announced the departure of the flotilla from the Jersey shore, and the spectacle, as the fleet of boats which had joined the procession emerged from the narrow pass of the Kills into the noble bay of New York, was of the most animating description. From every point, the smaller craft, of all kinds and degrees, sped their way thither to join in the fleet. All the flags and nautical decorations upon which hands could be laid for the occa- sion were put in requisition, and were now fluttering in the breeze, as the thousand boats danced lightly over the blue waters, and the many thousands of oars, briskly plied, flashed in the sunbeams, as with every stroke they were lifted from the foam. Every ship in the harbor was gayly dressed for the occasion, excepting the Galveston, a Spanish man-of-war, which lay at anchor, displaying only her own proper colors. The contrast which she presented when compared with the splendid flags and streamers floating from every other vessel in the bay, especially the govern- ment-ship, the North Carolina, was universally observed, : and the neglect was beginning to occasion unpleasant remarks ; when, as the barge of the General came abreast, in an instant, as if by magic, the Spaniard displayed every 33
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flag and signal known among nations. This handsome compliment was accompanied by a salute of thirteen gun -. Salutes were also fired from the North Carolina and the Battery of thirteen guns each.
Stairs for the landing of the chieftain had been pre- pared upon Murray's Wharf, on arriving at which a salute was fired by a detachment of artillery commanded by Captain Van Dyck. He was there received by Governor Clinton, who made a congratulatory address on the occa- sion; together with the principal officers of the State, and the Mayor and Corporation of the city. There was a very , large assemblage of people at the dock, waiting anxiously, but not impatiently, for the moment when they could greet the arrival of the great object of their proudest hopes and affections, and gratify their desires of looking-many of them again, and many others for the first time -- upon that noble form and godlike countenance. There was no crowding for rank, or struggle for places, but all were respectful and decorous in their demeanor. One old man, whose head was frosted by upward of seventy winters, standing upon the wharf, was particularly noted as labor- ing under deep and evident emotion. He succeeded in grasping the hand of the chieftain, and, as he passed along, audibly, but involuntarily, expressed himself as follows :- " I have beheld him when commanding the American armies; I saw him at the conclusion of peace, returning to the bosom of his family in his primeval habitation ; and now I behold him returning to take the chair of the Presidentship. I have not now another wish but that he may die as he has lived, THE BELOVED OF HIS COUNTRY !"
From the landing, the chief was conducted by a numerous procession, civil and military, through Queen Street to the quarters of Governor Clinton, at Faunce's Tavern,* the large and ancient structure yet standing in
* Also known as Bolton's and Sam Francis' Tavern.
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Pearl Street, on the south-east corner of Broad. The military portion of the procession consisted of Captain Stokes's dragoons, Captain Van Dyck's artillery, the German Guards of Captain Scriba, a detachment of in- fantry. under Captains Swartwout and Steddiford, and the artillery of Colonel Bauman. Next came the Cor- poration, with the public officers; the President elect walked with Governor Clinton, his old companion in arms. The clergy followed' in a body. The foreign ambassadors, in their carriages, came next, and the cit- izens promiscuously brought up the rear. The whole were under the direction of Colonel Morgan Lewis, mar- shal of the day, assisted by Majors Morton and Van Horne.
The day was one of unmingled joy. No former event of a civic character had more deeply arrested the public attention. The hand of labor was suspended, and the various pleasures of the city were concentrated into a single enjoyment. All ranks and professions, with one universal acclaim, joined in the loud welcome to "the Father of his Country." The city was illuminated in the evening; and many beautiful and appropriate transparencies were exhibited, creditable at once to the citizens who displayed them and to the artists by whom they were executed.
The 30th day of April, 1789, was appointed by Con- gress for the august ceremony of inducting the first President of our Federal Union into his exalted station. Pursuant to previous notice and concert, 1789. all the churches in the city were opened at nine o'clock on the morning of that day, and their respective congregations repaired to them, to unite in imploring the blessing of Heaven on the new government. In these enlightened days, when chaplains are voted out of legislative halls from a sensitive regard to the rights of conscience and the people's money, it may, perhaps, appear strange that such a concerted ceremony should have preceded the other .
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duties of the day. But the truth is, our Revolutionary forefathers were a race of men sui generis, and they had a way of doing things peculiar to themselves. They were in the habit of imploring the blessing of Heaven on all their iinportant undertakings, and of returning thanks for all signal blessings ; and, at the time of the establishment of the Federal Government, the march of mind had not yet been so rapid as altogether to have left this custom in forgetfulness.
At twelve o'clock, a procession was formed under the conduct of Colonel Lewis, consisting of the same detach- ments of the State troops which had been detailed for the reception of the President elect on his landing. The President's house was then in Cherry Street, a few doors from Franklin Square,-which was at that period the court end of the town. The procession moved thence through Queen, Great Dock, and Broad Streets, until they arrived in front of the building called Federal Hall; it having been determined that the ceremony of administer- ing the oath should take place in the open space in front of the Senate Chamber, which was on the second story of the building, and in full view of the people who should assemble in Wall and Broad Streets as spectators. Stop- - ping at the proper distance, the procession was divided into two parallel lines, facing inwardly, and the " observed of all observers" passed through with stately and solemn tread, attended by John Jay, General Knox, Chancellor Livingston, and other distinguished gentlemen. They were conducted, first to the Senate Chamber, where the President elect was introduced to both Houses, assembled in convention to receive him. Thence the illustrious · individual was conducted to the gallery or terrace before mentioned, overlooking the two streets in which the multitude had assembled.
As the building under whose lofty pediment this im-
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posing scene was exhibited has been so long swept from the face of the earth that few of the present generation have any distinct recollection of it, a description of it may aid our attempt to depict the sublime ceremony, which it is the principal design of the present chapter to bring before the reader. On the site of the old City Hall, which had served the provincials for a court-house, and was a mean, unsightly object, projecting awkwardly into Wall Street from the north, a noble edifice had been erected for the accommodation of Congress, on a plan and under the direction of Monsieur L'Enfant, a French architect, at that time in high repute, whose name we had occasion to mention in a preceding page. This building, like the first, projected into Wall Street, but permitted foot-passengers to continue their promenades through an arched way. Over this arcade was a balcony, the pediment projecting over, which was supported by four massive Doric pillars, dividing the open space into three parts, and forming an area similar in that respect to the divisions in Raphael's " Beautiful Gate of the Temple." After the adoption of the Constitution, this building was called Federal Hall .* Its front was upon Broad Street, which was terminated by it. Persons on the balcony would, consequently, be in full view from that street; and it was there, within a few yards of the Hall, that a few select spectators took their stand.
The volunteer companies of infantry were paraded in front of the Hall on Wall Street. A troop of horse, uni- formed and equipped much after the manner of Lee's and Sheldon's dragoons (as may be seen in the picture of Jack Laughton, the hero of Cooper's "Spy," as painted by our distinguished countryman, Dunlop), were prominent figures. Of the foot-soldiers, the most conspicuous were
* In later years, succeeded by the Custom-house, which is now the United States Sub-treasury
John Adams
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New York. Virtue & Yorston
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and faced with black bear-skin. . A company in the full uniform of Scotch Highlanders, with the national music of the bagpipe, were seen among the military of the day, as also were several well-disciplined and well-equipped corps of light infantry and artillery. Colonel Lewis, the marshal, was assisted by Major Morton, acting aid- de-camp, as on the occasion of the landing one week before.
Both Houses of Congress, having left their respective chambers to witness the ceremony, now quite filled the balcony and the space behind it. Every part of the build- ing was thronged. From the balcony the view of Broad Street was as of one mass, a silent and expectant throng ; with faces upturned, they gazed upon the great object of their regard, as he came forth from the interior of the Hall, and took his place in the center of the balcony, between the two pillars which formed the boundaries of the middle compartment of the picture. He made his appearance in a plain suit of brown cloth, coat, waistcoat, and breeches, white silk stockings, and buckles of the sim- plest fashion in his shoes, and every article of his dress was of American manufacture .* His head was uncov- ered, his hair powdered and dressed in the prevailing fashion of that day, completed the costume in which his tall, fine figure was presented to view, at the moment which formed that epoch in the history of nations.
John Adams, the Vice-President, who had a few days previously been inducted into office without parade in the Senate, a short, athletic figure, in a somewhat similar garb, but with the old-fashioned Massachusetts wig, dressed and powdered, stood upon the right of the chieftain. Roger Sherman was seen in the group, a little behind, standing with Hamilton and many other sages and warriors, among
* Adams was also entirely clad in American fabrics on the occasion here described.
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whom was the American artillerist, Knox, and the accom- plished Baron Steuben.
Opposite to the President elect stood Chancellor Liv- ingston, in a full suit of black, ready to administer the oath of office. Between them, the Secretary of the Sen- ate, a small, short man, held the open Bible, upon a rich crimson cushion. The man on whom all eyes were fixed, stretched forth his hand with simplicity and dignity. The oath of office was administered. The Bible was raised, and his head bowed upon it to kiss the sacred volume. The Chancellor then proclaimed that it was done, in a full, distinct voice, and in the following words: "LONG LIVE GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES !" The silence of thousands was at an end,-the air was rent with acclamations, dictated by reason, and bursting from the hearts and tongues of men who felt that the happiness of themselves, their posterity, and their country was secured.
The President bowed, and, having retired to the Hall of the Representatives, where the Senate also assembled, delivered his inaugural speech. Thence, the President, accompanied by the Vice-President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the members of both Houses, repaired in procession to St. Paul's Church, where Divine service was performed by Bishop Provost, the Chaplain of the Senate; and, before the adjournment of Congress, they passed a resolution requesting the President to issue his proclamation, recommending to the people of the United States to observe a day of thanksgiving and prayer, on account of the successful organization of the new Government.
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