In 1789, I saw Washington divested of the garb of war, place his hand on the Bible, and swear to support that Constitution under which I have since lived happily half a century. Between the pillars of the old City Hall, in Wall Street, as altered for the reception of the Federal Congress, in view of thousands who filled Broad Street as far as the eye could extend its view, and every avenue within sight of the building, the man of the people's choice was announced to them, as the first President of the United States of America.
Abstract of account in New York Packet:
New York, May 1, 1789. Yesterday at two o'clock was solemnly inaugurated into office, our Illustrious President.
The ceremony was begun by the following procession from the Federal House to the President's house, viz.:
Troop of Horse
Assistants
Committee of Representatives
Committee of Senate
Gentlemen to be admitted in the Senate Chamber
Gentlemen in coaches
Citizens on foot
On their arrival, the President joined the procession in his carriage and four, and the whole moved through the principal streets to the State House in the following order:
Troop of Horse
Infantry
Sheriff on horseback
Committee of Representatives
Committee of Senate
President and
Assistants (President's Suite) Assistants
Gentlemen to be admitted in the Senate Chamber
Gentlemen in coaches
Citizens on foot
When the van reached the State House, the troops opening their ranks formed an avenue, through which, after alighting, the President, advancing to the door, was conducted to the Senate Chamber, where he was received by both branches of Congress, and by them accompanied to the balcony or outer gallery in front of the State House, which was decorated with a canopy and curtains of red interstreaked with white for the solemn occasion. In this public manner the oath of office required by the Constitution was administered by the Chancellor of this State, and the illustrious Washington thereupon declared by the said Chancellor, President Of The United States, amidst the repeated huzzas and acclamations of a numerous and crowded audience.
After the inauguration, the President, returning to the Senate Chamber, delivered a speech to both Houses of Congress.