HARVARD COLLEGE DEC 3 1888 LIBRARY. MAGAZINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY VOL. XX DECEMBER, 1888 No. 6 IT THE INAUGURATION OF WASHINGTON, 1789 * T is now almost a hundred years since New York—a city which attends so strictly to business as to leave reminiscence almost wholly to her neighbors was the scene of the most sublime ceremonial in human history, an affair which up to that time had no parallel on this continent, and one which thrilled the whole civilized world. The inauguration of Washington in 1789, the centennial anniversary of which is about to be celebrated in our great money centre, Wall street, and the ushering of a new nation into existence to take its permanent place in the great family of nations, were one and the same event. As our first President, standing grave and tranquil on the balcony of Federal Hall surrounded by a notable group of American heroes, took the impressive oath of office, action was given to the intricate machinery of a new form of government capable of developing the resources and insuring the prosperity, power, and permanence of an immense people. The life current of liberty in that supreme moment leaped into a perpetual flow. The story of the founding of colonies in America, their coming of age, and battles for independence, is irresistibly fascinating. But it has been told so often and so well during the last thirteen years of centennial uprising by sections, in detail, as a whole, and with countless variationsthat its wonderful and significant sequel only will concern us in this paper. Turning the leaf backward to the beginning of April, 1789, we find the city of New York-which was then bold enough to hope that through the aid of a kind Providence it might, some happy day in the far-away future, reach Canal street-in the attitude of hilarious anticipation. An electrical current seemed to have passed through every department of business, and every project prospered. Fresh paint, and rents, advanced with unusual celerity. A notable French writer says it then cost more to live in New * Paper written by special request, and read by the author before the New York Historical Society at the opening meeting of the season, October 2, 1888. Copyright 1888, by Mrs. Martha J Lamb. VOL. XX.-No. 6.-30 York than in France, as the price of board was from four to six dollars a week. The old Congress had been holding its sessions in Wall street during the four preceding years. Now all eyes were turned towards the coming of new legislators and the consummation of Union. The doctrine of state rights fell suddenly into disrepute, and the public mind wondered at its own obstinacy in contending for thirteen independent sovereignties-which would have been eternally counteracting each other. The new Congress under the Constitution was to have assembled on the 4th of March, but the delegates came slowly. On the 25th of that month Fisher Ames, who had arrived some days before, wrote to George R. Minot, of Boston: "We have 26 representatives; and as 30 are necessary to make a quorum, we are still in a state of inaction. . . I am inclined to believe that the languor of the old Confederation is transfused into the members of the new Congress. This city has not caught the spirit, or rather the want of spirit, I am vexing myself to express to you. Their hall will cost £20,000, York money. They are preparing fireworks, and a splendid barge for the President, which last will cost £200 to £300. We lose £1,000 a day revenue. We lose credit, spirit, everything. The public will forget the government before it is born. The resurrection of the infant will come before its birth. Happily the federal interest is strong in Congress. The old Congress still continues to meet, and it seems to be doubtful whether the old government is dead, or the new one alive. God deliver us speedily from this puzzling state, or prepare my will, if it subsists much longer, for I am in a fever to think of it." It was not until Wednesday, April 1, that enough members of the House had appeared for a quorum, and the most of these had been obliged to make the journey from distant states on horseback or in springless stages, for it was too early in the season to drag their own chariots over the primitive roads, rendered nearly impassable by the 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, burnish their shoe-buckles, and submit their heads to the barber for style and powder. It is instructive to observe the picturesque costumes in which the wise men of that day advocated "republican simplicity." Even those who were the most pronounced in their censure of aristocratic influences looked sharply after the starch in their ruffles, 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 forty, was one of the most promising characters in the new body, wrote on the 1st of April, concerning the situation, naming the candi dates for the speaker's chair, a letter which through the courtesy of Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet, who possesses the original, we are able to give in facsimile. Why the Geuthmen by whom the enclosed was intidest to go dise not call I cannot concine, but. We have not had an sufficient number of Representatives to form a House till love Evening_ and as the Senate still want one it is a doubt whether www.shall proceed to do anything but ad: journ, the Past will go before that point is determin Fed; is the reason of my writing so zinentaivly fr order to expedite business when the Return of other Vesters are opened we haw are opened we have agreed that mus Charles Thompson shall be charged with the biss patches to the President The Candidates for the Chair of the House of Belgater, on Ind? A_Much: limbing of Pennsylvania. Ilies Boutenet of Der Jussy and J Timbal of Connections_ Jame with wil. rigard On the 4th of April, Fisher Ames wrote again to Mr. Minot : "The House is composed of sober, solid, old-charter folks, as we often say. At least, I am sure that there are many such. They have been in government before, and they are not disposed to embarrass business, nor are they, for most part, men of intrigue. It will be quite a republican assembly. It looks like one. Many who expected a Roman senate, when the doors shall be opened, will be disappointed. Admiration will lose its feast The Senate will be a very respectable body. Heaven knows Report is (and has been so these three weeks) that several senators P. S.-Sunday, April 5th, Mr. R. H. Lee is arrived, and so the Sen when they will act. are just at hand. ate has a quorum." The two Houses organized April 6, in the chambers prepared for them in the new Federal Hall in Wall street. This was the old historic City Hall, which had been the seat of legislative affairs in New York for nearly a century, remodeled and complimented with a new name. The first business of Congress was to open and count the votes for President. The incloud is from your Friend fernal Anuching are I suppose contours all the current news, On Monday the Voter Telfair 1 Charles Thompson sel not early yesterday Morning with the bispatched to sot out in a Bourn Pachet Bost with a fair Wrid and a brick Gale for Boston with the Dispatches to W. Aclames_ We expect the privat [FAC-SIMILE OF ORIGINAL IN POSSESSION OF DR. THOMAS ADDIS Emmet.] |